Threat of lawsuit from New York Mayor Mamdani to ICE

In the United States, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were using city-owned parking lots for immigration operations, stating that they could initiate legal action against the federal agency. In a statement made on November 2, 2026, Mamdani opposed the use of publicly owned land without the city's permission for preparing immigration operations. The mayor said that if ICE continued to use these areas, they would take the matter to court.

Van Cortlandt and Flushing Meadows Parks in the Spotlight

According to the city administration's statement, ICE agents parked their vehicles in city-owned parking lots around Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, and held meetings.

Near the aforementioned parking lots in Queens, there is a city-affiliated preschool and various cultural institutions. Mamdani's administration emphasized that these areas were not permitted to be used for federal immigration operations.

Response from the Federal Administration to Mamdani's Statement

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) argued that ICE agents were authorized under federal law to operate in publicly accessible parking lots.

The ministry spokesperson rebutted Mamdani's claims, asserting that ICE's activities in New York were conducted as part of efforts to combat crime and illicit transactions. DHS stated that the New York administration needed to cooperate with federal officials.

A new application is starting in municipal parks.

The Mamdani administration also announced a new app for New York City Department of Parks and Recreation employees to regulate ICE's access to city-owned properties.

With the new arrangement, procedures will be strengthened regarding how park workers, including ICE and other security forces from outside the city, respond to access requests for municipal properties. Training workers on this matter is also planned.

Governor Hochul extends support to Mamdani

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced she was disturbed by reports that ICE agents were using publicly owned areas in immigration operations. Urging that families should not have to live in fear of being separated from their loved ones while visiting parks or walking in their neighborhoods, Hochul expressed support for Mamdani's initiative.

Hochul also reminded that she had previously signed the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which limits state and local law enforcement participation in federal civil immigration procedures.

A call had also been made to private parking operators.

Mamdani had also called on private parking operators on 16 October, together with more than 100 elected officials. The operators were asked not to allow ICE to use their private property for operational preparations.

With the municipality's latest attempt, the debate shifted from private parking to public spaces owned by the city. The Mamdani administration is preparing to assess legal avenues to end ICE's unauthorized use of city property.