New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office released findings Friday from audits of six city agencies that revealed federal immigration authorities have employed aggressive and misleading tactics in their enforcement operations. The comprehensive review was mandated under Executive Order 13, issued by Mamdani upon assuming office as part of his commitment to protect immigrant communities throughout the city. The audits examined interactions between federal immigration agents and the Administration for Children’s Services, New York Police Department, and the Departments of Correction, Probation, Health & Mental Hygiene, and Social Services.
The 19-page executive summary documented specific instances of deceptive practices and outlined recommendations to strengthen the city’s sanctuary policies. Faiza Ali, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, stated that the findings will bolster city agencies’ protocols when dealing with federal authorities and ensure all New Yorkers can safely access city services regardless of immigration status. The report highlights a dramatic escalation in federal enforcement activity targeting vulnerable populations across the city’s social service infrastructure.
Massive surge in immigration detainer requests overwhelms city agencies
The audit revealed a staggering increase in civil immigration detainer requests submitted to the New York Police Department in 2025. Federal authorities sent 3,672 detainer requests to the NYPD during the year, representing an exponential jump from just 99 requests in the previous year. Despite this massive influx of federal demands, the NYPD did not transfer any individuals to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in response to these requests, maintaining compliance with the city’s sanctuary policies. The Department of Correction also experienced a sharp rise in detainer requests as federal immigration authorities intensified their targeting of city shelters and detention facilities.
The unprecedented volume of requests reflects a coordinated federal strategy to pressure local law enforcement into cooperating with immigration enforcement operations. City officials characterized the surge as an attempt to circumvent local sanctuary protections through sheer administrative volume. The consistent refusal by city agencies to honor these requests demonstrates the administration’s commitment to maintaining separation between local public safety functions and federal immigration enforcement activities.
Federal agents used false identities and unauthorized warrants at shelters
The report documented multiple instances of federal agents employing deceptive tactics to gain access to city facilities. In June 2025, Department of Homeland Security personnel visited a shelter and initially falsely identified themselves as Fire Department officials. The agents only admitted their true affiliation after a city employee demanded proper identification. This incident exemplifies the misleading approaches federal authorities have adopted to bypass local protocols designed to protect shelter residents.
Throughout April 2025, officers from multiple federal agencies including ICE, DHS, the FBI, and the DEA visited shelters ten times. During these operations, agents frequently wore plainclothes and employed various pretexts to gain entry. Federal officials requested to conduct “wellness checks” on children as a cover to inquire about specific shelter clients. In several instances, agents presented subpoenas or administrative warrants that do not legally authorize access to shelter facilities. The report noted that agents did present legally binding judicial warrants on only two occasions, resulting in one arrest.
Immigration agents attempted unauthorized surveillance at probation facilities
Federal overreach extended beyond shelters to other city facilities. ICE agents entered a Department of Probation building in Brooklyn under false pretenses, initially requesting to use the bathroom. Once inside, the agents attempted to access and review the facility’s sign-in book, which contains sensitive information about individuals under probation supervision. Alert staff members intercepted the agents, verified their identification, and escorted them out of the building. This incident demonstrates the extent to which federal authorities have attempted to circumvent local policies through subterfuge and unauthorized information gathering.
- Federal agents falsely identified themselves as Fire Department officials at city shelters.
- ICE conducted ten shelter visits in April 2025, often in plainclothes using various pretexts.
- Agents presented invalid administrative warrants that lacked legal authorization for facility access.
- Federal authorities attempted unauthorized surveillance of probation facility records.
- City employees successfully prevented multiple attempts at unauthorized information gathering.
Mayor defends sanctuary protections despite federal pressure
Mamdani has maintained a firm stance against ICE operations and the current administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. The mayor called the audit a critical step toward strengthening compliance with local laws and reinforcing protections for immigrant communities. He expressed pride in sharing the findings and recommendations that will ensure the city responds effectively to the evolving nature of federal immigration enforcement while protecting the rights of all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status.
The mayor has previously stated his readiness to face any consequences for standing against federal immigration enforcement that conflicts with city policies. His administration has clarified that the city will not check immigration status for universal childcare enrollees and has vowed that the NYPD will never return to previous cooperation patterns with ICE enforcement operations. The audit represents a formalization of the administration’s commitment to maintaining sanctuary protections through systematic documentation and policy refinement.
White House defends federal enforcement amid local resistance
The White House responded to the audit with a strong defense of federal immigration enforcement activities. A statement provided to media outlets asserted that ICE officers act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities. The administration urged local officials to work with federal agents rather than against them, characterizing resistance as doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens. The statement emphasized that the current administration will not waver on enforcing federal immigration law.
The audit’s recommendations include enhanced training for city employees on recognizing invalid warrants, improved protocols for verifying the identity of federal agents, and strengthened procedures for documenting federal enforcement attempts at city facilities. Additional recommendations focus on closing loopholes in sanctuary policies and establishing clear guidelines for when city employees may and may not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The comprehensive approach aims to balance public safety concerns with the protection of immigrant communities who rely on city services. Implementation of these recommendations will require coordination across multiple agencies and ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with both local sanctuary laws and applicable federal regulations.