Mamdani calls federal immigration policy campaign of 'terror’

Key Points:

• New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the federal government for what he called a "campaign of violence and terror" against immigrant communities, criticizing ICE raids and the Trump administration's new public charge rule.
• Mamdani, along with five other sanctuary jurisdictions, is suing the Trump administration to block the expanded public charge rule, which allows immigration officials to consider noncash benefits like Medicaid and housing vouchers when determining immigrants' eligibility.
• The previous public charge guidelines under the Biden administration only considered cash benefits, but the new rule broadens criteria, causing fear among immigrant families who may avoid essential services for fear of jeopardizing their immigration status.
• The White House defended the rule, accusing Democrats of supporting illegal immigrants at taxpayers' expense and emphasizing the administration’s priority to protect American citizens and taxpayers.
• Mamdani called the rule a "gross illegality" that harms immigrant families, including U.S. citizen children, by restricting access to necessary public benefits and undermining the city's social fabric.