NYC Mayor Mamdani Warns DHS and ICE to Stop Using City Parking Lots or Face a Lawsuit

Mayor Zohran Mamdani fired a warning shot at federal immigration authorities on Monday: stop parking in city parking lots or risk a lawsuit. His letter says “ICE has not secured any authorization from the City to use these lots for immigration enforcement,” and warns “If your agents continue any unauthorized use of these lots, New York City will take legal action to prevent this unlawful commandeering of City property.” DocumentedNY, citing information from Hands Off NYC, a city-wide ICE watch organization, reports federal agents were sighted at least five times at Flushing Meadows Corona Park since Aug. 21.

The letter text is read through DocumentedNY’s excerpts, not the letter itself. Local officials contesting ICE’s use of land is a recurring move; compare 2026-10-02–san-antonio-mayor-ortiz-jones-backs-legal-action-to-halt-east-side-ice-warehouse.