Washington
The White House sharply criticised a video posted by New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, urging immigrants to “stand up to ICE,” warning it has fueled a surge in attacks on federal immigration officers. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration is “definitely concerned about the rise in violence and attacks and physical threats” targeting ICE personnel.
Leavitt cited what she described as more than a 1,000 per cent increase in violent incidents against agents and their families. “ICE officers have been doxed, harassed, and physically assaulted while enforcing our nation’s immigration laws,” she said, stressing that the administration condemns any messaging that encourages resistance to federal enforcement.
President Trump has touted the US border as the “most secure” in history, pointing to record-low encounters with illegal entrants. Leavitt said, “For the seventh consecutive month, US Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens into the United States,” and contrasted current apprehensions with figures under the previous administration. She added that the administration has restored “sovereignty” at the border and achieved “the single greatest and fastest national security victory in modern American history.”
Mamdani, an Indian American, faces criticism amid rising tensions in major cities like New York, home to large immigrant communities. The administration’s hardline immigration approach has become a flashpoint in national debate, reflecting the challenge of balancing security with humanitarian concerns.
Immigration enforcement continues to polarise the country, with federal actions shaped by court rulings and public scrutiny. Officials emphasized that ensuring public safety and supporting enforcement personnel remain top priorities as authorities navigate this politically charged environment.