New York City’s new mayor has appointed a former staffer with deep ties to a controversial Muslim advocacy organization to oversee immigrant affairs, raising serious questions about the city’s direction amid heightened federal immigration enforcement.

Controversial Appointment Raises Eyebrows

Zohran Mamdani announced Faiza Ali as commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs on February 17, 2026. Ali served as director of community affairs at the Council on American-Islamic Relations New York chapter, an organization that has drawn scrutiny over the years. She also worked at the Arab American Association of New York and spent years as a City Council staffer, culminating in her role as first deputy chief of staff to Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. Ali is the daughter of Pakistani immigrants and co-founded the Muslim Democratic Club of New York.

BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani has announced his new Chief Immigration Officer, Faiza Ali, who worked for the Muslim Brotherhood-linked CAIR.

His entire administration is made up of Islamists and Communists. pic.twitter.com/8GIJ3UVqFu

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) February 17, 2026

Sanctuary City Stance Intensifies Federal Tensions

The appointment coincides with Mamdani’s executive order signed in early February 2026 that significantly strengthened New York City’s sanctuary policies. The order limits cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, mandates audits of city agencies to ensure compliance with sanctuary protections, and launches extensive “Know Your Rights” outreach campaigns. Bitta Mostofi, a former de Blasio administration MOIA commissioner and Biden official, now leads sanctuary compliance audits of agencies including the NYPD. These measures directly challenge President Trump’s efforts to enforce immigration law and remove illegal immigrants.

Progressive Networks Rally Behind Selection

Ali’s appointment drew enthusiastic endorsements from progressive immigrant advocacy organizations. Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigration Coalition called it a “victory for immigrant New Yorkers,” while Make the Road New York’s Natalia Aristizabal praised Ali for standing firm against what she termed “federal overreach.” City Council Immigration Committee Chair Elsie Encarnacion described Ali as an “intelligent, caring” and “strong ally.” Ali previously gained recognition on Crain’s “40 Under 40” list in 2022 as the first Muslim American woman to hold her senior Council position, and she led successful campaigns for Muslim holiday recognition in New York City schools.

Undermining Federal Law Enforcement Authority

This appointment represents a calculated move to fortify New York City’s resistance to federal immigration enforcement at a time when the Trump administration is working to restore the rule of law at America’s borders. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, established in 2001, advises the mayor on policies affecting nearly two in five New Yorkers who are immigrants. By selecting someone with Ali’s background in advocacy organizations that prioritize immigrant protections over cooperation with federal authorities, Mamdani signals his intention to place city resources in direct opposition to ICE operations. This approach undermines constitutional federal authority over immigration enforcement and creates a dangerous precedent where local officials actively obstruct lawful deportation of individuals who entered the country illegally.

🚨 BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani has appointed Faiza Ali as the city’s new chief immigration officer.

She previously worked for CAIR, whose executive director publicly celebrated Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, calling Israel an “occupying power” and praising Gaza for “breaking the siege.” https://t.co/OCFkP0fhtj pic.twitter.com/fZQ0LGPRxO

— Yehuda Teitelbaum (@chalavyishmael) February 17, 2026

Pattern of Progressive Resistance Emerges

Ali succeeds Manuel Castro, who served under former Mayor Eric Adams and advocated for expanding MOIA into a full city agency. Castro, himself formerly undocumented, pushed sanctuary policies during his tenure. Ali’s appointment fits within a broader pattern of Mamdani administration choices that prioritize progressive ideology over public safety concerns. The interagency coordination Ali will oversee focuses heavily on protecting non-English speakers and establishing privacy safeguards that critics argue could shield criminal illegal immigrants from accountability. Conservative New Yorkers frustrated with rising costs of services for illegal immigrants and safety concerns tied to unvetted border crossers have reason to worry about this administration’s priorities.

Long-Term Implications for Rule of Law

The long-term implications of this appointment extend beyond New York City. By elevating someone from CAIR-NY and similar advocacy networks to a position of significant municipal authority, Mamdani establishes a model other progressive cities may follow in resisting federal immigration enforcement. This could encourage further erosion of cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies nationwide. New York taxpayers will bear increased costs as the city dedicates resources to protecting individuals who violated immigration law rather than supporting citizens and legal immigrants. The appointment also raises concerns about whether city officials will prioritize the safety and economic interests of legal residents or continue policies that attract illegal immigration through generous benefits and non-cooperation with ICE.

Sources:

Mayor Mamdani names new immigrant affairs commissioner

Mayor Mamdani Names NYC International and Immigrant Affairs Leaders

Mamdani Taps City Hall Insider Faiza Ali to Lead Immigrant Affairs Office