After New York shooting, Mamdani calls ICE a "rogue" agency, claims law enforcement agents see law enforcement as "just a suggestion."

New York Mayor Zahran Mamdani accused ICE of being a "rogue federal agency" after an immigration officer shot a man seven times in Manhattan.

Mamdani blasts ICE as 'rogue' agency after New York shooting, claims agents are ignoring the law

New York Mayor Zahran Mamdani accused ICE of creating terror in New York after an agent shot a man with his 5-year-old son in a car. DHS responded by defending the federal officers and criticizing the mayor's anti-ICE rhetoric.

New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of acting as a "rogue federal agency" and called the law "just a suggestion," days after a federal immigration officer shot a Manhattan man seven times while his 5-year-old son was in his car.

Mamdani, speaking with MS NOW host Yakub Soborov in his first interview since Thursday's shooting of 28-year-old Oscar Belgal, accused ICE agents of repeated disregard for the law and questioned whether New Yorkers can distinguish federal officers from dangerous attackers.

"We follow the law in New York City, and I know that for the secretary, the law is just a suggestion as to what these ICE agents should do," Mamdani said. They make a mockery of law and order.

Mamdani blasts the feds for launching a "campaign of violence and terror" against New York immigrants.

A DHS spokesperson said: "ICE enforces the law as it is written. What makes someone a target of immigration enforcement is whether or not they are in the United States illegally — full stop." "Mayor Mamdani should be thanking law enforcement for removing these dangerous criminals from his city — not insulting law enforcement."

"Attacking and demonizing ICE law enforcement is wrong," the statement continued. "Because of the release of these smears, our ICE officers are now facing a 1,600 percent increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members and terrorists."

EXCLUSIVE: DHS Secretary Mullin Slams Sanctuary Politicians For Attacking Ice Officers

DHS responded to Mayor Zahran Mamdani's criticism of ICE, accusing him of insulting federal law enforcement officers and defending sanctuary policies that put New Yorkers at risk. (Ministry of Internal Security)

Mamdani argued that ICE operations made New Yorkers less safe and called for the agency's elimination.

"What we see from their actions is an agency that creates terror, an agent that creates a feeling of fear against any notion of safety. And I've made it very clear that the more ICE agents are involved in their operations in the city, the less safe this city will be."

The shooting happened Thursday afternoon in the Marble Hill neighborhood, where ICE agents tried to arrest Belgall, a Dominican national who DHS said has a prior grand larceny conviction and prior arrests involving assault, robbery, drug and weapons charges.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at least one federal immigration officer fired seven shots, hitting Belgall in the neck below his left ear. The 5-year-old officer who was sitting in the car was not injured.

Mamdani said he spoke with President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Marcin Mullin for nearly two hours Thursday evening in an unsuccessful attempt to free Beljal. He expressed disappointment with the defense minister's assessment of the shooting.

"What surprised me is that the secretary didn't think ICE agents did anything wrong," Mamdani said. I urge ICE to immediately cease operations in our city because these operations are making New Yorkers less safe. "They leave New Yorkers in a state of panic."

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On Friday, U.S. District Judge Paul Utken temporarily blocked Belgal's deportation while his challenge to federal detention remains pending. The judge also restricted his transfer outside specified federal jurisdictions without prior court approval.

The NYPD, which was not involved in the shooting, released body camera footage showing officers responding to the scene after the shooting. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the incident.

Mullin criticized Mamdani's anti-ICE rhetoric during Friday's news conference, accusing the mayor of inciting hostility toward federal immigration officers while refusing to support their enforcement efforts.

"His words are dangerous and incite hostility. It's not helping," Mullin said. He said that ICE is rotten to the core, really? The men and women at ICE enforce the laws he refuses to enforce every day. He said he wants to abolish ICE. So, Mayor, if you abolish ICE, who will get the criminals off the streets of your city?”

CJ graduated from Long Beach State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Masters in Journalism.

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