By Trendsetter Tribune 
In a direct challenge to federal immigration enforcement, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed former Biden administration official Bitta Mostofi to lead a series of high-stakes audits across six municipal agencies. The initiative, announced in February 2026, is designed to identify and close any “loopholes” that might allow local cooperation with federal immigration agents as the Trump administration ramps up its national deportation efforts.
The audits represent a shift toward a more aggressive “sanctuary” posture for the city, moving away from the more cooperative dynamics seen during the previous administration.
Auditing the “Residual Framework”
Mostofi, who previously served as the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) and as a senior official at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will oversee probes into agencies that frequently interact with federal authorities.
- Targeted Agencies: The NYPD, Department of Correction (DOC), Department of Probation, Social Services, Health Department, and the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).
- The Goal: Mostofi stated the audits aim to weed out the “confusion or gray area” left behind by former Mayor Eric Adams, whom she accused of “undermining” sanctuary laws.
- Potential Penalties: Beyond simply identifying lapses, Mostofi has not ruled out recommending stricter penalties for city employees—including police officers and corrections staff—who violate sanctuary regulations.
Tension with the White House
While Mayor Mamdani and President Trump have maintained a civil public relationship since a “chummy” post-election meeting in November 2025, these audits have already sparked a response from Washington.
- DHS Critique: Trump’s Department of Homeland Security issued a statement following Mamdani’s executive order, claiming the new policies make New Yorkers “less safe” by barring cooperation with ICE.
- Funding Threats: The White House has repeatedly threatened to withhold billions in federal aid from sanctuary jurisdictions, a move that would significantly impact the city’s budget if enacted.
“The directive is for folks to recommend to the mayor changes to policies and protocols… that can be everything from process, to accountability, to transparency.” — Bitta Mostofi, Special Adviser to the First Deputy Mayor
Sanctuary Law: Key Protections in NYC
| Regulation | Impact on Federal Enforcement |
| Municipal Property Access | Federal agents (ICE) are barred from city-owned facilities (schools, hospitals) without a judicial warrant. |
| Information Sharing | City employees are prohibited from sharing personal information of residents with ICE for civil enforcement. |
| Rikers Island Access | City courts recently blocked attempts to allow ICE to establish a permanent presence within city jails. |
| “Privacy Officers” | Each agency must now appoint a dedicated officer to ensure compliance with these specific privacy rules. |