NYC Mayor Mamdani Bolsters Sanctuary City Policies

Order requires city agencies to audit immigration enforcement practices and appoint privacy officers

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued an executive order on Friday aimed at reaffirming the city's sanctuary policies and cracking down on federal immigration enforcement. The order directs city agencies to audit their policies on dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to appoint privacy officers to oversee compliance with sanctuary laws.

Why it matters

Mamdani has been a vocal critic of ICE and has called for the agency's abolition. This order is the latest move in his efforts to protect immigrant communities in New York City and limit the reach of federal immigration authorities.

The details

Mamdani's order requires city agencies that interact with the public, including the police and corrections departments, to conduct a 90-day audit of their policies on cooperating with ICE. The order also stipulates that each agency must appoint a 'privacy officer' and hold 'Know Your Rights' trainings for staff. The goal is to ensure all city agencies are fully complying with New York's sanctuary city laws, which prohibit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

  • Mamdani issued the executive order on Friday, February 6, 2026.
  • Agencies have 14 days to appoint a privacy officer and conduct 'Know Your Rights' trainings.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who issued the executive order bolstering the city's sanctuary policies and cracking down on federal immigration enforcement.

Murad Awawdeh

The president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, who praised Mamdani's order as a defense of immigrant residents.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that Mamdani has criticized and called for abolishing, citing abuses of power and harm to immigrant communities.

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What they’re saying

“They arrive as if atop a pale horse, and they leave a path of wreckage in their wake. It is a manifestation of the abuse of power.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (gmtoday.com)

“Mayor Mamdani's announcement recognizes his responsibility to defend all residents from abusive immigration enforcement, and our moral obligation to protect our immigrant neighbors from these attacks. We applaud Mayor Mamdani for taking decisive action to fight for our immigrant neighbors.”

— Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition (gmtoday.com)

What’s next

The city agencies have 90 days to complete the audit of their immigration enforcement policies, and 14 days to appoint privacy officers and conduct 'Know Your Rights' trainings for staff.

The takeaway

This executive order from Mayor Mamdani is the latest step in his efforts to protect immigrant communities in New York City and limit the reach of federal immigration authorities like ICE, which he has criticized and called to abolish. By requiring a comprehensive audit of city policies and the appointment of privacy officers, Mamdani is reinforcing New York's commitment to its sanctuary city status and safeguarding the rights of all residents, regardless of immigration status.