Mayor Reaffirms NYC's Sanctuary Status, Launches "Know Your Rights" Push

Executive Order 13 strengthens protections for immigrant New Yorkers and all city residents against federal immigration enforcement.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced sweeping new actions to uphold the city's sanctuary laws and protect immigrant New Yorkers. He signed an executive order reaffirming the city's commitment to being a sanctuary, bolstering restrictions on federal immigration enforcement, and establishing an Interagency Response Committee. The mayor also launched a citywide "Know Your Rights" push, distributing 32,000 flyers in 10 languages to faith leaders to share with their congregations.

Why it matters

As the federal government continues aggressive immigration enforcement actions, Mayor Mamdani's executive order and "Know Your Rights" campaign aim to safeguard all New Yorkers, including immigrant communities, from unlawful targeting and harassment by federal authorities like ICE. This reaffirms the city's commitment to being a sanctuary and builds trust between residents and local government.

The details

Executive Order 13 protects the privacy and data of immigrants and all residents, restricts federal immigration enforcement on city property, initiates audits to ensure compliance with sanctuary laws, and establishes an Interagency Response Committee. The "Know Your Rights" push provides information about New Yorkers' rights during interactions with immigration authorities, including the right to remain silent, speak to an attorney, and access a translator.

  • Mayor Mamdani signed Executive Order 13 on February 7, 2026.
  • The city is distributing the "Know Your Rights" materials to faith leaders across New York City.

The players

Mayor Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City who announced the new sanctuary city protections and "Know Your Rights" campaign.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that conducts immigration enforcement actions, which the mayor's executive order aims to restrict from operating on city property without a judicial warrant.

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What they’re saying

“Across this country, day after day, we bear witness to cruelty that staggers the conscience. Masked agents, paid by our own tax dollars, violate the Constitution and visit terror upon our neighbors.”

— Mayor Zohran Mamdani (Mirage News)

“These materials apply to us all: those who have been here for five generations, those who arrived last year. They apply to us all because the obligation is upon us all. To love thy neighbor, to look out for the stranger.”

— Mayor Zohran Mamdani (Mirage News)

What’s next

The Interagency Response Committee established by Executive Order 13 will coordinate the city's crisis response efforts in the event of escalating federal immigration actions or other major events.

The takeaway

Mayor Mamdani's actions demonstrate New York City's steadfast commitment to being a sanctuary for all residents, regardless of immigration status, and to protecting the rights and safety of immigrant communities in the face of aggressive federal enforcement.