NYC officials condemn ICE use of city property, threaten legal action

Mayor Zohran Mamdani formally notified Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin in a letter, asserting that ICE’s actions constitute an “unlawful commandeering” of city property. The letter explicitly states that the city will pursue legal action if ICE continues to park vehicles in city parking lots without authorization.

“ICE has not secured any authorization from the City to use these lots for immigration enforcement. To be clear: the City does not authorize ICE using its property in this manner,” the letter stated.

Mamdani addressed the issue at a Brooklyn press conference Monday, criticizing ICE’s disregard for established directives and laws. He emphasized the city’s readiness to take the matter to court should ICE continue its current practices.

Reports indicate that ICE agents have been observed using several city-owned parking lots, including locations in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and along 111th Street near Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. The latter location is adjacent to a city-run preschool and several cultural institutions frequented by children.

Mamdani has previously urged garage owners throughout the city to deny ICE access to their properties for staging operations.