Arkansas – Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded Tuesday after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he supports abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), criticizing politicians who she said support eliminating law enforcement protections while receiving security themselves.
“Politicians who lived in gated compounds didn’t want to build the wall,” Sanders wrote. “Politicians who had armed security wanted to abolish the police. And now those same politicians want to abolish ICE? Give me a break.”
Sanders’ comments came after Mamdani publicly voiced support for abolishing ICE, reigniting a national debate over immigration enforcement and the role of federal immigration agencies.
Mamdani, who became New York City mayor in 2026, has argued that ICE should be dismantled, saying he believes the agency’s current approach to immigration enforcement cannot be fixed through reform alone. He has also supported stronger protections for immigrants in New York City and maintaining the city’s sanctuary policies, Breitbart reported.
During a previous interview, Mamdani said he supported calls to abolish ICE and criticized what he described as harmful enforcement practices. He said his position was based on concerns about how immigration enforcement affects communities.
The mayor’s comments have drawn criticism from opponents who argue eliminating ICE would weaken immigration enforcement and public safety efforts. Former ICE officials and other critics have pushed back against the proposal, saying the agency plays an important role in enforcing federal immigration laws.
Supporters of Mamdani’s position argue that the immigration system needs major changes and that current enforcement practices have caused harm. Mamdani has continued to defend his stance, saying he believes a different approach is needed.
The exchange between Sanders and Mamdani highlights a broader political divide over immigration, border security, and the future of federal enforcement agencies.
The debate over ICE has remained a major issue among lawmakers and political leaders nationwide, with Republicans generally calling for stronger enforcement measures and progressive Democrats pushing for major reforms or the agency’s elimination.
Mamdani’s comments have placed the New York mayor at the center of that national discussion, while Sanders’ response reflects ongoing criticism from Republican leaders who argue that calls to abolish ICE represent a move away from public safety priorities.