Abolish ICE Call Grows as Zohran Mamdani Accuses White House of Terrorising Minneapolis

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has renewed his demand to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), accusing the White House of enabling a climate of fear following a series of deadly encounters involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. His remarks come amid growing national scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics and mounting public protests.

Mamdani said recent killings linked to federal immigration authorities have left communities “terrorised” and unable to trust assurances from national leadership. In a strongly worded public statement, the mayor alleged that ICE operations have crossed moral and legal boundaries, resulting in the deaths of US citizens during enforcement actions.

Referring to two fatal shootings in Minneapolis this month, Mamdani said Americans are being pressured to dismiss clear evidence of excessive force. He accused political leaders of gaslighting the public and urged citizens to believe what they see rather than official explanations.

One of the victims, Renee Good, a 37-year-old US citizen, was shot and killed while sitting in her car during an incident authorities said was not part of an immigration raid. Video footage of the shooting circulated widely, triggering weeks of protests across Minneapolis and intensifying calls for accountability. Mamdani described the killing as an act of violence that could not be explained away.

Less than three weeks later, another Minneapolis resident, Alex Pretti, also a US citizen, was killed after being shot multiple times during a separate encounter involving federal border enforcement personnel. The second shooting deepened public outrage and reignited debate over the role of immigration agencies operating far from the US-Mexico border.

Mamdani said the fear generated by these incidents extends far beyond Minnesota. He warned that similar enforcement actions have created anxiety in cities across the country, including New York, where immigrant and mixed-status families worry about aggressive raids and mistaken identity encounters.

The mayor stated that he has communicated directly with the White House, urging an immediate halt to what he described as “cruel and inhumane” enforcement practices. According to Mamdani, such actions undermine public safety rather than enhance it, eroding trust between communities and law enforcement institutions.

He reiterated his long-standing position that ICE should be dismantled and replaced with a system that prioritises due process, transparency and community safety. The call to abolish ICE has gained renewed traction among progressive leaders following the Minneapolis incidents, though it continues to face strong opposition from federal officials and conservative lawmakers.

Federal authorities have defended their operations, stating that agents acted within policy and that investigations into both shootings are ongoing. Officials have cautioned against drawing conclusions before probes are complete, arguing that immigration enforcement remains essential to national security and border control.

However, civil rights groups and local leaders argue that the pattern of incidents reflects deeper systemic issues within immigration enforcement. Protests in Minneapolis and other cities have demanded independent investigations, body-camera transparency and limits on federal agencies operating within local jurisdictions.

As the debate intensifies, Mamdani framed the moment as a moral crossroads for the country. He said Americans are increasingly unwilling to ignore what they witness firsthand and are demanding accountability from institutions wielding lethal authority.

With investigations continuing and protests spreading, the controversy surrounding ICE’s role in domestic law enforcement is expected to remain a central political and human rights issue in the months ahead.