Trump’s border czar Tom Homan said Tuesday that he has not spoken with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and claimed the new mayor has signaled he won’t cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
“He’s made it clear he’s not going to work with ICE,” Homan said during an appearance on America’s Newsroom.
Homan contrasted Mamdani’s position with what he described as prior cooperation under former Mayor Eric Adams. Homan said there had been an agreement that would have allowed federal immigration agents back into Rikers Island to arrest what he called “public safety threats” inside the jail, but he said the city council blocked it.
Homan also referenced a meeting last year between President Donald Trump and Mamdani, saying he remains unsure whether the mayor will change course.
“We’ll see down the road if he’s going to help arrest public safety threats,” Homan said. “We’re not asking any NYPD to be immigration officers. We’re asking their cops to work with our cops to remove national security threats and public safety threats in New York City.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed similar concerns last week, saying discussions involving the mayor’s office and the Department of Homeland Security have not been going smoothly, while adding that the administration wants to keep trying to reach an agreement.
“We’re hoping the mayor will work with us to get these criminal elements, and especially gang members and terrorist organizations, out of New York City,” Noem said. She added that while Mamdani and Trump had a “productive conversation,” DHS communication with the mayor’s office and NYPD “has not been productive,” but the department wants to continue discussions.
Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mamdani has criticized ICE and, during his rise in city politics, promoted “know your rights” messaging and guidance for people who might encounter immigration agents.
