NYC Mayor Assembles ICE Response Team After Trump Threats

The Interagency Response Committee will plan for and respond to any "crisis" brought by the federal government, his administration says.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has created an interagency group called the 'Interagency Response Committee' to plan for and quickly respond to a potential surge in immigration enforcement by the federal government. The committee includes the city's chief immigration officer and other senior officials, and is intended to help protect New Yorkers' rights and access to city services in the face of aggressive federal tactics.

Why it matters

The creation of this committee reflects growing concerns about the potential for increased immigration enforcement actions in sanctuary cities like New York under the Trump administration. It signals the city's intention to aggressively defend its sanctuary policies and protect immigrant communities from federal overreach.

The details

The Interagency Response Committee will be chaired by First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan and include the city's chief counsel Ramzi Kassem and former chief immigration officer Bitta Mostofi. The committee will audit city agencies' sanctuary policies, ban ICE and other federal agencies from using city-owned facilities, and plan responses to any federal actions that could negatively impact New Yorkers. Mostofi said the committee could advocate, implement new policies, or take other steps to protect immigrant communities and maintain trust in city government.

  • The executive order creating the committee was issued on February 10, 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who created the Interagency Response Committee.

Dean Fuleihan

The first deputy mayor of New York City who will chair the Interagency Response Committee.

Ramzi Kassem

The chief counsel for the city of New York and a member of the Interagency Response Committee.

Bitta Mostofi

A special advisor to the first deputy mayor and the former chief immigration officer for New York City, who is a member of the Interagency Response Committee.

Tricia McLaughlin

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security who criticized the creation of the Interagency Response Committee.

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What they’re saying

“Our job is to effectively prepare and also to support New Yorkers and to make any necessary adjustments as needed to make sure we're protecting as many people as possible. This is about engendering broad trust with the city government and the ability to protect everybody.”

— Bitta Mostofi, Special Advisor to the First Deputy Mayor (Gothamist)

“ICE law enforcement wouldn't have to be in the field in New York City if we had state and local cooperation. Mayor Mamdani is not letting that happen, which puts New Yorkers in danger. Mayor Mamdani would make New Yorkers less safe as a direct result of this policy.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security Spokesperson (Gothamist)

“These policies strengthen New York City's robust laws that protect our communities from overreach by the federal government and will help keep all New Yorkers safe. The mayor's swift action reflects the urgency of this moment.”

— Natalia Aristizabal, Deputy Director, Make the Road New York (Gothamist)

What’s next

The Interagency Response Committee will conduct audits of city agencies' sanctuary policies and determine any necessary adjustments or new policies to protect immigrant communities in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The creation of the Interagency Response Committee demonstrates New York City's commitment to defending its sanctuary policies and protecting the rights of all residents, regardless of immigration status, in the face of potential federal crackdowns on sanctuary cities.