The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun recruiting New York City police officers following the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor. Through a post on its official X account, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) invited NYPD officers to join “an agency that respects you,” appearing to appeal to officers uneasy about serving under the incoming administration. Critics of Mamdani, a democratic socialist, have warned that some officers may consider resigning or leaving the city.

The effort echoes previous recruitment drives under President Donald Trump’s administration, which used targeted advertising in major sanctuary cities to attract police officers to federal immigration enforcement. These initiatives are part of a wider goal to expand ICE’s workforce by thousands of officers nationwide.

President Trump has been openly critical of Mamdani, calling him a “communist” and threatening to withhold federal funding or take legal action if New York City does not cooperate with ICE. Despite their sharp differences, Mamdani has said he is willing to work with the president on reducing the city’s cost of living — his main campaign priority.

During a press event introducing his transition team, Mamdani addressed federal immigration agents directly, asserting that “everyone will be held to the same standard of the law.” He emphasized accountability for both public officials and law enforcement agents, pledging consistency and fairness during his term.

New York City, a long-standing sanctuary city, has faced tension with federal authorities over immigration enforcement. DHS officials have previously promised to intensify ICE operations in New York following the election. The city has historically limited local police cooperation with federal immigration actions, though it cannot legally block ICE operations.

Mamdani has criticized ICE as a “rogue agency” and vowed to resist deportations from the city, further highlighting the potential for ongoing federal-local conflict.