New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Monday, sharply criticised federal immigration raids, calling them “cruel and inhumane” and arguing they fail to advance public safety. The remarks came after more than a dozen protesters were arrested during a violent confrontation with federal agents in lower Manhattan over the weekend. Speaking to reporters Monday, Mamdani referred to his meeting with the President Donald Trump, and said he had conveyed to him that these raids are doing no good.“When I met the President I made it very clear that these kinds of raids are cruel and inhumane, that they are raids that do nothing to public safety. And that my responsibility is to be the mayor to each and every person that calls this city their home and that includes millions of immigrants of which I’m one,” he said.Mamdani’s comment reflects his campaign promise to defend New York’s immigrant communities against aggressive federal immigration actions. The self-described democratic socialist – born in Uganda and naturalised as a US citizen – is poised to become the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor when he takes oath next month.

Clashes in Manhattan

Mamdani’s remarks came two days after a tense standoff in lower Manhattan where protesters attempted to block federal agents from exiting a garage during an ICE enforcement action, according to law enforcement officials. Demonstrators chanted “ICE out of New York,” locked arms to form a human barrier, and some hurled roadside planters at government vehicles. Officers responded with what appeared to be pepper spray to disperse the crowd, the officials said, reported CNNMore than a dozen people were arrested. Saturday’s confrontation follows a series of protests nationwide over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and came just weeks after a chaotic ICE raid on Chinatown’s Canal Street.A department of homeland security spokesperson said individuals “dressed in black clothing with backpacks, face masks, and goggles” obstructed officers after social media posts “called agitators to ICE’s location.” Publicising federal officers’ movements “puts a target on their backs,” the spokesperson added, warning that “anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted.”