Mamdani threatens legal action over ICE use of New York City parking lots

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned federal immigration officials on Monday that the city would take legal action if ICE continued using city-owned parking lots to stage enforcement operations without authorization.

In a November 2 letter to Department of Homeland Security and ICE officials, Mamdani cited reports that agents had parked vehicles and held meetings at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and lots beside Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. He said the city had not authorized that use and demanded instructions barring agents from using city lots to stage or conduct immigration enforcement.

His administration also announced a new Parks Department policy, amNewYork reported. Employees who encounter federal officers seeking entry to nonpublic areas must ask for identification and contact agency lawyers. Any warrant must be sent to those lawyers for review. Without a valid judicial warrant or other proper authorization, staff are instructed not to admit officers to restricted areas.

The policy tells workers to call 911 and document unauthorized entry when safe, without physically or verbally confronting officers. In public areas, staff should notify supervisors and agency lawyers if they observe federal law enforcement activity.

Local context: The Parks policy sets out how city workers should respond to federal agents at parks and city facilities. In his letter, Mamdani said the city would use available lawful means to help immigrant communities access its property and resources without fear.