New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has confirmed that the city will not check the immigration status of children enrolling in its universal pre-K and 3-K programs, as part of a move to provide free childcare to all New Yorkers regardless of their background.
According to Mamdani, these programs are open to any child turning 3 or 4 anytime in 2026, which could save families tens of thousands of dollars annually. This initiative is being implemented by the mayor's administration in partnership with New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Mamdani emphasized that the city values its diversity and wants to protect the rights of every New Yorker. He stated that ICE agents are not allowed to access schools, hospitals, or city properties without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Most of the time, ICE agents fail to provide such documentation, making it clear that this policy is meant to keep families safe from harassment.
The mayor also made headlines last year when he called the detention of an NYC employee by ICE an "assault on our democracy."
According to Mamdani, these programs are open to any child turning 3 or 4 anytime in 2026, which could save families tens of thousands of dollars annually. This initiative is being implemented by the mayor's administration in partnership with New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Mamdani emphasized that the city values its diversity and wants to protect the rights of every New Yorker. He stated that ICE agents are not allowed to access schools, hospitals, or city properties without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Most of the time, ICE agents fail to provide such documentation, making it clear that this policy is meant to keep families safe from harassment.
The mayor also made headlines last year when he called the detention of an NYC employee by ICE an "assault on our democracy."
The fact that NY City is doing away with checking kids' immigration status for pre-K and 3-K is literally a dream come true. I mean, think about it - families are already stressed out enough, and the last thing they need is some dude showing up at their kid's school to ask if they're undocumented. It's just too much. But you know what's even better? The mayor is doing this because he actually cares about people, not just politicians talking points 
. And can you imagine how many families are gonna save like $10,000 a year? That's some serious cash for a peace of mind. I'm def feeling all the feels about this one - it's proof that good things can still happen in this crazy world 
. I mean, saving families some serious cash is def a good thing 
, but at what cost? It's already hard enough for immigrants to navigate the system without having to worry about their kid being checked every time they enroll in school... like, what if they just want to focus on getting an education and growing up without all that drama? 
, then I'm all for it. Just hoping it doesn't lead to any unintended consequences down the line 
it's so important that the city is taking a stand like this to support families and protect them from harm 
mamdani sounds like an amazing mayor, his words really speak to the heart of what we should be fighting for in our communities 
love how he's framing this as about protecting rights and diversity too 
can't wait to see all these free childcare programs come to life and know that some families are gonna breathe a huge sigh of relief 
They're really stepping up to provide free childcare for all families, regardless of their background. It's amazing that they're prioritizing kids' education and family well-being over immigration status.
. It's all about giving back to the community and promoting inclusivity, you know? Kids should be able to get an amazing education without worrying about their parents' status 
.
. And kudos to the mayor and Governor Hochul for working together on this initiative 
.
. It's just common sense, really.
ICE's presence in schools is already a nightmare. Now they wanna check status of 3-4 yr olds? 
And it's not just about saving families money; it's about creating a safe and inclusive environment for all kids. I mean, who wouldn't want that? 
. I'm glad the mayor is standing up against those guys and making it clear that they won't be intimidated by their presence. It's time for our leaders to put people over policy, you feel? 
. It just goes to show that we can make a real difference when we put people first, not politics or paperwork. And kudos to Kathy Hochul for partnering with the mayor on this initiative - it's all about collaboration and making our communities stronger!