Mamdani, Schumer and Jeffries ask NYC parking lot owners to bar ICE staging

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other New York Democrats have called on owners of private parking lots and garages to block federal immigration officers from using their properties as staging areas. AP reported that Mamdani, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and dozens of state and local lawmakers signed a Friday letter. The Hill and Axios said more than 100 elected officials signed. Axios said the letter was dated Oct. 16 and included every Democratic member of the city's congressional delegation. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]

"In solidarity with immigrant New Yorkers and in our shared commitment to the City we love, we ask that you do not rent, lend, or otherwise make your property available to ICE as a staging area for its enforcement operations," the letter reads. It adds: "Make it known to ICE that it is not authorized to use your garages and lots." The letter told owners the city needs their "help at a critical juncture." [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]

The Hill quoted a Friday statement from Mamdani: "Federal agents are turning to private parking lots, including a lot just blocks from where they shot Mr. Belgal. I am asking every garage and lot owner in this city to stop giving them that option." [ 6 ]

The letter followed the shooting of Oscar Belgal by immigration officers. AP described him as a 28-year-old Dominican national shot during an arrest last week while riding in a car with his young son, and said the shooting sparked protests. The Hill gave the date as Oct. 8, the place as the Marble Hill neighborhood and the son's age as 5. It said Mamdani called the shooting "unconscionable" and demanded that all ICE enforcement operations in the city be halted. According to the letter, the officers had been using a nearby private parking lot as a staging area before the shooting. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]

Federal officials maintain the officers believed their lives were in danger and opened fire only after Belgal smashed his car into two government vehicles and accelerated toward them. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, said Belgal was an immigrant with a prior criminal conviction and arrests. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]

The letter says New York City has barred outside law enforcement agencies such as DHS from setting up staging areas on city property unless they have a judicial warrant or qualify for certain "limited legal exceptions." The Hill said this stems from an executive order the mayor signed earlier this year. The New York Post, which obtained a draft on Thursday, quoted it as saying: "These laws govern City property, not the private lots and garages that you operate. That is why we need your help." The Post said it was not clear when the letter would be sent or how many business owners were on the mailing list. It also cited a Gothamist report that ICE had used a Bronx garage serving a Target to stage operations as far back as April, and said the letter cited at least three other instances. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]

A DHS spokesperson criticised the letter, saying: "Mayor Mamdani should be grateful to our brave law enforcement officers for cleaning up the streets of NYC since he won't. Luckily, no terminated parking will stop ICE from deporting criminal illegal aliens to make New York safe again." Axios said the shooting led to a show of unity between Jeffries and Mamdani, and quoted Rep. Gregory Meeks as saying Democrats "are definitely unified across the spectrum re ICE." [ 3 , 4 , 7 ]