NYC Mayor Teams Up With AOC To Promote Free Childcare For All Residents

Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez encourage enrollment in pre-K and 3-K programs regardless of immigration status

Feb. 24, 2026 at 9:21pm

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez released a Spanish-language video urging all New York City residents, regardless of immigration status, to enroll their children in the city's free pre-K and 3-K programs before the upcoming February 27th deadline.

Why it matters

This policy is part of Mamdani's broader efforts to support and protect undocumented immigrants in New York City, including his proposals to allocate additional funding for migrant services and his public stance against the enforcement actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The details

In the video, Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez explain that the pre-K and 3-K programs are open to all New York City parents regardless of their occupation, income, or immigration status. They encourage residents to sign up their children before the February 27th enrollment deadline.

  • The video was posted on February 24, 2026, ahead of the February 27th enrollment deadline.
  • Mamdani announced the open enrollment policy during a January 23, 2026 roundtable discussion.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The Democratic mayor of New York City who is promoting free childcare access regardless of immigration status.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The Democratic Congresswoman from New York who appeared in the video with Mayor Mamdani to encourage enrollment in the city's pre-K and 3-K programs.

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What they’re saying

“If your child is turning three or four years old in 2026, you can enroll them in free 3-K or Pre-K in New York City. But you must apply by February 27, which is the deadline. Any New York City parent, regardless of your occupation, income, or immigration status, is eligible to sign their child up.”

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (dailycaller.com)

“This is one example of a city program that we are encouraging everyone to apply to, to see themselves as a part of and to know that we are going to use every single law that we have here to protect the health and safety of everyone who signs up. These are not programs that are going to ask the immigration status of any one of the children.”

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

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This policy highlights Mayor Mamdani's efforts to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for undocumented immigrants in New York City, even in the face of potential federal immigration enforcement actions.