New York City’s radical new Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, doubled down Friday on his commitment to shielding illegal immigrants from federal law. During a media roundtable, Mamdani clarified that his administration will not check the immigration status of children enrolling in universal pre-K and 3-K programs. The Mayor insisted that these tax-funded programs are for “every single New Yorker,” regardless of whether they are in the country legally.
Mamdani’s plan to expand free childcare, unveiled alongside Governor Kathy Hochul, is a cornerstone of his far-left agenda. He boasted that the program could save families tens of thousands of dollars a year by providing “free childcare.” Critics point out that these “free” services are funded by hardworking taxpayers who are increasingly burdened by the city’s sanctuary policies.
“All of those children are New Yorkers. They should all be enrolled in 3-K and pre-K, no matter where they were born or where they come from,” Mamdani stated. He proudly reaffirmed New York City’s status as a sanctuary city, a designation that continues to draw fire as the federal government ramps up immigration enforcement. Mamdani previously told The View that he favors abolishing ICE entirely, calling their work an “assault on our democracy.”
The Mayor also issued a direct challenge to federal authorities by promising to deny ICE agents access to city properties. He stated that agents would be barred from schools, hospitals, and city buildings unless they present a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Mamdani claimed that most ICE documentation is merely “administrative” and should be ignored by city employees.
By prioritizing illegal residents, Mamdani is signaling that his administration will continue to resist the Trump administration’s efforts to restore order to the immigration system. He framed the refusal to cooperate with federal agents as a matter of protecting “the rights of every New Yorker.” However, many residents are concerned that these policies prioritize non-citizens over the safety and financial stability of legal taxpayers.
The expansion of 3-K and pre-K is expected to draw thousands of additional families into the city’s already strained education system. As the federal government moves to crack down on fraud and illegal stays, Mamdani’s NYC remains a holdout of defiance. For the new Mayor, being a “sanctuary” means providing state-funded benefits to everyone, no questions asked.