New York Assembly Member Confronts Border Czar Over Immigration Policies and Arrest of Columbia University Activist
Albany, NY – A heated confrontation unfolded in Albany, New York, on Wednesday as New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani publicly challenged former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan over the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the recent detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and vocal critic of Israel. The incident occurred while Homan was in the state capital to advocate for stricter immigration enforcement and criticize Democratic lawmakers for their stance on illegal immigration.
Video footage circulating online captured Mamdani attempting to navigate past New York State Police troopers while directing pointed questions and accusations at Homan. Mamdani’s criticism centered on the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration and specifically targeted the arrest of Khalil, a legal permanent resident and father-to-be.
"How many more New Yorkers will you detain? How many more New Yorkers without charge?" Mamdani exclaimed, his voice rising above the surrounding noise. "Do you believe in the First Amendment, Tom Homan?"
Mamdani later took to social media platform X to further elaborate on the confrontation, accusing Homan of "doing Trump’s bidding" by pushing for mass deportations and perpetuating an "assault on working class New Yorkers." He also condemned the detention of Khalil as "unjustifiable."
"Under Trump’s watch, we are seeing the erosion of the fundamental rights that make us American, including the right to peacefully protest injustice and speak freely about our beliefs," Mamdani asserted in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
Mamdani also directed criticism towards New York City Mayor Eric Adams, suggesting that Adams’ inaction was motivated by a desire to maintain favor with the Trump administration and avoid legal scrutiny.
"Meanwhile, [New York City Mayor] Eric Adams is standing idly by, because he knows as long as he kisses Trump’s ring, he can avoid legal accountability," Mamdani stated. "New Yorkers deserve a leader who will stand up for our Constitutional rights against advancing authoritarianism."
The focal point of Mamdani’s ire, Mahmoud Khalil, is a Palestinian individual who grew up in Syria and holds legal permanent resident status in the United States. He was apprehended by ICE agents at his university-owned apartment on Saturday, with authorities reportedly informing him that his green card and student visa were being revoked, according to his attorney, Amy Greer.
Khalil gained prominence for his active involvement in protests against Israel at Columbia University. He played a significant role within Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition of student groups advocating for the university to divest from investments in Israel, according to CNN reports. Khalil also engaged in meetings with university officials on behalf of the organization.
The arrest of Khalil has drawn considerable attention, with former President Donald Trump publicly acknowledging it on Monday. Senator Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, stating that the administration would revoke the green cards of any Hamas supporters residing in the U.S. and proceed with their deportation.
"Following my previously signed executive orders, ICE proudly apprehended and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a radical foreign pro-Hamas Student on the campus of Columbia University," Trump declared on Truth Social. "This is the first arrest of many to come."
Homan’s presence in Albany was linked to his support for state Republican lawmakers seeking to repeal the state’s Green Light law, officially known as the Drivers License Act. This law, which has been legally challenged by the Trump administration, permits illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
Mamdani asserted that Homan responded with a smirk when confronted about the detention of Khalil, highlighting the personal impact of the situation on Khalil’s family.
"Because there is no answer from taking a man from his pregnant wife who is due to deliver their newborn in a month," Mamdani said, emphasizing that Khalil had expressed concerns for his safety to Columbia University officials.
Mamdani concluded by condemning what he characterized as a lack of courage and conviction among leaders in the city and state.
"The cowardice that is on display across our city and our state is unacceptable," he stated. "New Yorkers are looking to us. They are looking to their leaders for courage and for conviction, and what they are finding instead is collaboration."
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and divisions surrounding immigration policies in the United States, particularly in states like New York, where debates over sanctuary status and the rights of undocumented immigrants remain highly contentious. The confrontation between Mamdani and Homan serves as a microcosm of the broader national discourse on immigration, highlighting the passionate advocacy and conflicting viewpoints that continue to shape the debate.
