Mamdani signs immigration executive order at Interfaith Breakfast
Holding a newly-signed executive order, Mayor Mamdani announces sweeping new actions to uphold New York City’s sanctuary city laws and protect immigrant New Yorkers. New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Manhattan. Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Photo: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
MANHATTAN — UNITY OF SPIRIT AND A COMMON MISSION OF CARING FOR THE STRANGER are what defines New Yorkers, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at his first official Interfaith Breakfast since taking office in January.
The event, which took place Friday at the New York Public Library, aimed to unite faith leaders around the city to honor New York’s religious, spiritual and cultural richness.
During the event, Mamdani signed an executive order to reaffirm a commitment to “sanctuary city” principles. Numbered as Executive Order 13, and effective immediately, this directive will set policies on how to respond to requests for sensitive information and implement protocols for protecting that info, including through the direction of chief privacy officers. It will also bolster restrictions on federal immigration enforcement on city property; initiate an audit to make sure city agencies are complying with sanctuary laws; and establish a committee to coordinate crisis response across city government in the event of escalating federal immigration actions or other major events.
Clergy applaud as the mayor introduces his executive order and the actions it details. New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Manhattan. Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
Mamdani also launched a citywide “Know Your Rights” push, distributing nearly 32,000 flyers and booklets in 10 languages for faith leaders to share with their congregations. The materials provide clear, accessible information about New Yorkers’ rights during interactions with federal immigration authorities, including the right to remain silent, the right to speak to an attorney and the right to a translator.
“Faith offers us a moral compass to stand alongside the stranger,” emphasized Mamdani, who is the city’s first Muslim, Indian and African-born mayor. Quoting from the New Testament Epistle to the Hebrews, and Exodus and Deuteronomy from the Jewish Torah, Mamdani emphasized living out “defiance through compassion” in standing up for the widow, the orphan and the stranger.
Some of the speakers from Mayor Mamdani’s hosting of the first annual Interfaith Breakfast of his administration at the New York Public Library on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
Among the Brooklyn-based clergy speaking at the Friday event were Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies and the daughter of the late prominent civil rights pastor William Augustus Jones, Jr., who served for 43 years at Bethany Baptist Church; and the Rev. Juan Carlos Ruiz, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bay Ridge, whose bilingual Spanish-English address also underscored the need to stand together to protect immigrants.
The mayor’s Interfaith Breakfast, which typically brings in about 300 religious leaders, became a tradition in 2002 during theBloomberg administration.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
