New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the city will not inquire about immigration status when children enroll in universal 3‑K and pre‑K programs. He stressed that the programs are open to all eligible New Yorkers and reiterated the city’s sanctuary policy, which limits ICE access to schools and other city properties without a judicial warrant. The expansion, unveiled with Gov. Kathy Hochul, covers children turning 3 or 4 in 2026 and could save families significant childcare costs.
Mamdani: NYC Will Not Check Immigration Status For Universal 3‑K And Pre‑K Enrollees
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani clarified on Friday that the city wouldn’t check the immigration status of children enrolling in his administration’s universal pre-K and 3-K programs.(Fox News)
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani clarified on Friday that the city will not ask about the immigration status of children enrolling in the administration’s expanded universal 3‑K and pre‑K programs.
“To be very clear, these are programs for every single New Yorker,” Mamdani said at a media roundtable. “These programs will not ask about the immigration status of any child.”
Mamdani greets students at a New York City school in December.
Mamdani emphasized that eligible children should be enrolled regardless of where they were born or their immigration status. "All of those children are New Yorkers," he said, adding that New York City is proud to be a sanctuary city.
Explaining the sanctuary-city policy, Mamdani said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are denied access to schools, hospitals and other city properties unless they present a judicial warrant signed by a judge. He noted that ICE often does not present judicial warrants; when paperwork is shown it is frequently administrative or, at times, none is provided.
An anti-ICE protester holding a sign in New York Friday.
The mayor also reiterated that the childcare expansion is open to any New Yorkers with children who will turn 3 or 4 at any time in 2026. He said the initiative — unveiled earlier this month in partnership with New York Governor Kathy Hochul — could save families tens of thousands of dollars a year by providing free childcare.
Mamdani’s clarification came after a reporter asked how the city would protect families from ICE enforcement actions. Separately, the mayor has told the television program The View that he favors abolishing ICE.
What This Means For Families: Eligible families can enroll without being asked about immigration status, and the city says it will restrict ICE access to city sites absent a judicial warrant. The expanded program aims to increase access to early childhood education and reduce childcare costs for New Yorkers.
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