The Department of Homeland Security is reaching out to New York City police officers unsettled by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory, urging them to consider joining Immigration and Customs Enforcement. On Thursday, DHS posted on its official X account: “Join an agency that respects you, your family, and your commitment to serving in law enforcement.” The message appeared to target concerns that some NYPD officers might quit or relocate rather than serve under Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist critical of aggressive policing.

The outreach follows reports that ICE, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has ramped up recruitment efforts in sanctuary cities. According to the Associated Press, ICE spent millions on television ads in cities like Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia to attract local officers. The campaign aims to fulfill Trump’s goal of hiring 10,000 new ICE agents nationwide by year’s end. Trump has been openly hostile toward Mamdani, calling him a “communist” and threatening to withhold federal funding or even pursue legal action if the incoming mayor refuses to cooperate with immigration authorities.

Mamdani, who will take office January 1, 2026, dismissed the threats and reiterated his commitment to upholding the law. “Everyone will be held to the same standard,” he said Wednesday. “If you violate the law, you must be held accountable — whether that’s the president or an agent.” Throughout his campaign, Mamdani has called ICE a “rogue agency” and vowed to prevent federal immigration raids within city limits. His stance sets the stage for potential clashes with federal authorities as the Trump administration pushes for stricter immigration enforcement. For now, DHS’s overt recruitment of NYPD officers underscores deepening political divides — and foreshadows a tense relationship between City Hall and Washington in the months ahead.