New York City Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he won’t allow the Trump administration to send federal immigration officers to World Cup soccer events.
Mamdani expressed his displeasure at comments from border czar Tom Homan warning that the administration is planning a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to New York City.
‘As the world comes to our city, we will stand proudly with our immigrant neighbors and reject these attacks for what they are: an attempt to divide us.’
Mamdani responded by citing the contributions immigrants have made to World Cup events that are coming to New York City.
“Soccer would not exist without immigrants. Immigrants play and coach the game, work in the stadiums, fill the stands, and make celebrations like the World Cup possible. Six of the players on the US Men’s National Team are immigrants,” the mayor wrote.
“We will not allow ICE or anyone else to sow fear in our communities — especially at this moment,” he added. “As the world comes to our city, we will stand proudly with our immigrant neighbors and reject these attacks for what they are: an attempt to divide us.”
Homan made the surge threat after accusing Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul of obstructing regular deportation operations in the state.
“You’re going to see more ICE than you’ve ever seen in New York City, and it’s coming,” Homan said Monday in an interview on Fox. “I just reviewed an operational plan. I’m not going to tell you exactly when it’s going to happen, but it’s coming.”
Mamdani has also criticized President Donald Trump for travel restrictions that have stymied some travelers trying to make it to the World Cup events in the U.S.
“This is anathema to what this tournament is supposed to be about if we cannot even allow the players and the teams and the journalists covering those teams to come into this city or this country, then it begs a larger question about our commitment to the spirit of this tournament,” said Mamdani to the press during a FIFA promotional event.
He went on to advocate for the abolition of ICE.
“ICE raids are cruel, they are inhumane,” said Mamdani. “They do nothing to serve in the interests of public safety. … ICE as an entity is one that should be abolished.”
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The Department of Homeland Security issued a fiery response to Mamdani in a post on social media.
“Apparently [Mayor Mamdani] doesn’t think that arresting rapists, murderers, pedophiles, and assailants serves ‘the interest of public safety.’ While sanctuary politicians like Mamdani keep fighting for criminal illegal aliens, the heroic men and women of [ICE] will keep risking their lives to keep New Yorkers SAFE,” the DHS account stated.
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