NYC Appoints Controversial CAIR Alum as Chief Immigration Officer

Mayor Zohran Mamdani selects Faiza Ali, former chief of staff to City Council Speaker, to lead Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs

Feb. 18, 2026 at 4:39pm

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to appoint Faiza Ali, the former chief of staff to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, as New York City's new chief immigration officer. Ali previously worked for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an organization that has faced controversy over its ties to other Islamic groups.

Why it matters

The appointment of Faiza Ali, who has ties to the controversial CAIR organization, to lead the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs is likely to stir up debate and scrutiny around the city's approach to immigration policy and its relationship with Muslim-American advocacy groups.

The details

Faiza Ali will be appointed commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, according to sources. Ali previously worked as the community affairs director for CAIR, an organization whose executive director celebrated a Hamas attack on Israel. CAIR has faced criticism for its ties to other Islamic groups.

  • Faiza Ali is expected to be appointed as NYC's chief immigration officer in the coming days.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who is expected to appoint Faiza Ali as the city's chief immigration officer.

Faiza Ali

The former chief of staff to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams who is expected to be appointed as the commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. She previously worked for the controversial Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) organization.

Adrienne Adams

The former City Council Speaker whose chief of staff, Faiza Ali, is expected to be appointed as NYC's chief immigration officer.

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

A Muslim advocacy organization that has faced controversy over its ties to other Islamic groups. Faiza Ali previously worked as the community affairs director for CAIR.

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What they’re saying

“At a time when immigrants are facing escalated and unprecedented attacks, we will prioritize strengthening protections, expanding access to legal and language services, and building real pathways to stability for New York City's diverse immigrant communities.”

— Faiza Ali (Gothamist)

What’s next

The mayor's office is expected to formally announce Faiza Ali's appointment as the new commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs in the coming days.

The takeaway

The selection of Faiza Ali, who has ties to the controversial CAIR organization, to lead New York City's immigrant affairs office is likely to face scrutiny and debate over the city's approach to immigration policy and its relationship with Muslim-American advocacy groups.