- Democrats “are definitely united across the spectrum on ICE,” Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), chair of the Queens Democratic Party and close Jeffries ally, told Axios.
- He added that “the mayor has also contacted me about local issues and I believe Leader Jeffries is also indicating that he is interested in working with New York’s congressional delegation.”
Driving the news: Mamdani sent a letter dated October 16 with more than 100 other New York City Democratic elected officials, including all Democratic members of the city’s congressional delegation, to parking lot and garage owners.
- “In solidarity with immigrant New Yorkers and our shared commitment to the city we love, we ask that you not rent, loan, or make your property available to ICE as a staging area for its enforcement operations,” the letter read.
- Officials argued that the shooting of Oscar Belgal, 28, in New York’s Marble Hill neighborhood in early October was “not an isolated case,” pointing to past cases in Queens and Manhattan.
- “Homeowners who refuse to participate in these federal civil immigration enforcement operations enhance public safety by protecting their own staff and customers, as well as their fellow New Yorkers beyond their yards and garages.”
Between the lines: Jeffries and Mamdani have walked a cautious line as two of the most prominent national figures within their respective factions of the Democratic Party.
- Jeffries displeased the left, including some members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, by waiting 11 days before last year’s election to endorse Mamdani for mayor.
- The two came into conflict this summer when Jeffries supported Democratic Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat while Mamdani campaigned hard for their primary challengers, although the Democratic leader notably downplayed the clash.
Yes, but: The two also had other notable moments of agreement, such as when Mamdani opposed City Councilman Chi Ossé’s ultimately aborted plan to attempt to have Jeffries primaryed from the left.
Zoom out: Also among the letter’s signatories are Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who last year accused then-candidate Mamdani of making “references to global jihad,” for which she later apologized.
- Goldman and Espaillat, who were ultimately ousted by their Mamdani-backed challengers, also signed on.
- The same was true for retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, who was burned by Mamdani supporting Claire Valdez over her chosen successor, according to the New York Times.
What we hear: “It is significant to see Mayor Mamdani lead a letter like this that includes both U.S. senators and the entire New York House Democratic delegation (including the two he opposed in this spring’s primaries),” a senior Mamdani ally said in a text message to Axios.
- The person added: “This reflects both how universally hated ICE is by Democrats — and how much work the mayor has done to build bridges.”
- The Mamdani ally spoke on condition of anonymity to offer a frank analysis of the delicate relationship between the mayor and the party establishment.
The bottom line: Others argued that Democratic unity around opposition to ICE was the overriding factor.
- A New York Democratic lawmaker told Axios: “The fact that everyone signed has more to do with the power of the issue than the power of the mayor. »
- A person close to Jeffries also argued that immigration is simply “a unifying issue for Democrats,” but acknowledged that Mamdani “constantly looks to the delegation to build connections and make things easier since the election, which is smart.”
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