Mayor Mamdani Names NYC Int'l & Immigrant Affairs Chiefs

Ana María Archila and Faiza Ali appointed to lead key roles in the administration.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the appointments of Ana María Archila as Commissioner of International Affairs and Faiza Ali as Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs. Archila, a longtime immigrant rights leader, will serve as the city's chief liaison to the United Nations and the State Department. Ali, a City Council member, will lead the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Why it matters

These appointments signal the Mamdani administration's commitment to elevating immigrant voices and ensuring New York City remains a welcoming home for the global community. Archila and Ali bring deep experience in community organizing and advocacy for immigrant rights, which will be crucial as the city navigates complex international relationships and supports its diverse immigrant population.

The details

As Commissioner of International Affairs, Archila will advise city agencies on diplomatic matters, welcome foreign diplomats to New York, and run leadership development programs. As Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs, Ali will work to expand access to city services and benefits for non-English speaking New Yorkers and collaborate with other agencies to protect immigrant communities.

  • Mayor Mamdani announced the appointments on February 18, 2026.

The players

Ana María Archila

A longtime immigrant rights leader and former co-director of the New York Working Families Party (NYWFP), who will serve as the city's chief liaison to the United Nations and the State Department.

Faiza Ali

A City Council member who has served in the role for over a decade, most recently as the former Speaker's Deputy Chief of Staff of Community Engagement, and will lead the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.

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What they’re saying

“New York City has always belonged to the world-a city that immigrants helped build and one strengthened by our many languages and stories. I'm proud to welcome Ana María Archila into this administration to build on that legacy.”

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (Mirage News)

“I'm deeply honored to join Mayor Mamdani's transformative administration and to imbue into the Office of International Affairs his commitment to make New York a place where everyone can live with dignity.”

— Ana María Archila, Commissioner of International Affairs (Mirage News)

“Diplomacy is the work of building intentional networks at an international scale, to improve lives. It's organizing that Ana María Archila is built for.”

— Patrick Gaspard, Former United States Ambassador to South Africa and Distinguished Fellow at the Center for American Progress (Mirage News)

“I am the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Pakistan who came to New York City with courage, an unshakable belief in possibility, and the determination to build a future here.”

— Faiza Ali, Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs (Mirage News)

“Faiza has been a part of AAANY's community for many years. As the Director of our Advocacy & Civic Engagement program, she led campaigns-including immigration reform efforts-that helped thousands of immigrants across NYC.”

— Marwa Janini, Executive Director, Arab American Association of New York (Mirage News)

The takeaway

These appointments demonstrate the Mamdani administration's commitment to elevating immigrant voices and ensuring New York City remains a global hub that welcomes and supports its diverse immigrant population. Archila and Ali's deep experience in community organizing and advocacy for immigrant rights will be crucial as the city navigates complex international relationships and works to expand access to services for non-English speaking New Yorkers.