New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, sworn in on January 1, 2026, publicly expressed support for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during an appearance on ABC’s The View. The mayor cited ICE’s role in terrorizing immigrant communities, regardless of legal status, as a primary reason for his stance.

Mamdani’s comments place him firmly within a growing progressive movement that has long criticized ICE for aggressive enforcement practices, including deportations and family separations. ICE, established in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security, has faced widespread scrutiny, particularly after the 2018 family separation crisis, when thousands of migrant children were separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Supporters of abolishing ICE argue that its current structure fosters fear and instability among immigrant populations, undermines community trust, and disproportionately affects vulnerable individuals. Critics, however, warn that eliminating the agency without a comprehensive replacement plan could weaken border security and immigration enforcement capabilities.

Mayor Mamdani’s remarks underscore ongoing debates over the future of U.S. immigration enforcement, highlighting the tension between progressive reform efforts and traditional security-focused approaches. As NYC’s top elected official, his position also signals the city’s potential policy priorities and advocacy efforts at the federal level, particularly in shaping how local governments interact with federal immigration authorities.