Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday she had “no problem” with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s instructional video on how illegal migrants in New York City can “stand up” to federal immigration authorities.
“Everybody in this state should know their rights for themselves, their families, or for their neighbors, and their fellow worshippers in places of worship,” Hochul told reporters at an unrelated event.
“So no, everybody should know these rights, because they’re being trampled on right now,” she said.
“I have no problem with the mayor-elect using this platform to let people know the rights they have in this great country.”
Zohran Mamdani in a video telling New Yorkers how to evade ICE. X/@ZohranKMamdaniMamdani earned scorn from conservative critics for posting a social media video Sunday in which he said that “we can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights.”
The democratic socialist cited a recent protest in Lower Manhattan where demonstrators surrounded the garage of a government building and prevented federal agents from carrying out an apparent raid on Nov. 29.
The chaotic scene led to NYPD officers clashing with some of the more than 150 protesters blocking access to the garage, leading to several arrests.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said she had “no problem” with Mamdani’s video. Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com“Last weekend, ICE attempted to raid Canal Street and detain our immigrant neighbors,” Mamdani said. “As mayor, I’ll protect the rights of every single New Yorker. And that includes the more than 3 million immigrants who call this city their home.”
Mamdani, in his video, reminded New Yorkers that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents can’t enter a home or workplace without a warrant approved by a judge and someone facing detainment can ask if they are free to go until they receive an answer.
He also advised people not to impede an investigation, resist arrest or flee while always remaining calm during any interaction with ICE.
An asylum seeker from Ecuador is detained by federal agents as she leaves her hearing in immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits federal building on October 9, 2025, in New York City. Getty ImagesHochul said the state provides funding for Big Apple nonprofits on issues Mamdani touched on, stressing “it’s important for government to use every avenue possible to let people know that their rights are so they’re not abused.”
Democrats have consistently bashed ICE and offered advice to illegal migrants on how to take on the federal agency, which has ramped up deportation efforts since President Trump retook office.
A US Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Monday that “resisting arrest puts the safety of illegal aliens, law enforcement, and the public at risk.”
“Still, these activists are not slowing us down or stopping us. Our law enforcement will continue to remove criminal illegal aliens from our country,” DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin told The Post in a statement.
Big Apple council members and lefty activists held a rally slamming ICE outside City Hall Monday leading up to a bill hearing that would ban federal immigration authorities from holding space in city Department of Correction facilities.
The rage directed at ICE officers had led to a sharp rise in assaults and threats, according to the Trump administration.
“Our law enforcement officers are facing a more than 1000% increase in assaults against,” McLaughlin said in the statement.
“We are once again calling on sanctuary politicians, agitators, and the media to turn the temperature down and stop calling for violence and resistance against ICE law enforcement.”
— Additional reporting by Hannah Fierick
