Mayor Zohran Mamdani used a roundtable with ethnic and constituency media to press New Yorkers to enroll their children in the city’s Pre-K and 3-K programs before the application window closes, while forcefully reaffirming the city’s sanctuary policies and stressing that immigration status will not be considered.
Speaking at the event, Mamdani emphasized that the early childhood education programs are universal and belong to all families who call New York City home. He underscored that the remaining weeks before the application deadline are critical, describing the limited window as a countdown measured not in months, but in days, hours, and minutes. His message centered on urgency, access, and reassurance, particularly for immigrant communities and families who may be skeptical of government involvement.
“These are programs for every single New Yorker,” Mamdani said. “These are not programs that are going to ask the immigration status of any one of the children. All of those children are New Yorkers. They should all be enrolled in Pre-K and 3K, no matter where they were born or where they come from. And we are also proud to be a sanctuary city.”
BREAKING: Communist NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces criminal aliens will be eligible for taxpayer-funded universal child care.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 23, 2026
“These are programs for everyone. They will not ask immigration status. We are proud to be a sanctuary city.”
RIP NYC.
pic.twitter.com/n7XKZXKgwY
Mamdani framed Pre-K and 3-K as more than optional benefits, calling them vital services that can reshape family life and the city’s economy. He pointed to research showing that children who receive quality early childhood education experience better outcomes later in life, while parents gain the ability to return to work, strengthening the workforce and supporting economic growth. According to Mamdani, the programs offer “only upside” for families, including savings that can amount to tens of thousands of dollars per year.
He outlined multiple ways families can apply, including online through the city’s MySchools portal, by phone, or in person at Family Welcome Centers across the five boroughs. Mamdani stressed that the process is not first-come, first-served and that any family that applies by the deadline will receive an offer. He also highlighted the role of trusted community organizations and child care providers in helping families navigate the application process, particularly those who may be disconnected from city government or face language barriers.
A significant portion of Mamdani’s remarks were directed at immigrant New Yorkers and communities that have historically felt excluded from government services. He acknowledged longstanding distrust and sought to counter fears that participation could expose families to immigration enforcement. In that context, he explained what New York City’s sanctuary policies mean in practice, noting that ICE agents are denied access to schools, hospitals, city properties, and contractor facilities unless they present a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
He added that, in most cases, such warrants are not produced, and that families should understand their rights. Mamdani framed these policies as central to the city’s identity, saying they are both a matter of safety and values. “We are proud of our laws,” he said, adding that they reflect who New Yorkers are as a city.
Mamdani also used the roundtable to call on ethnic and community media outlets to help spread the message, describing them as trusted sources of information for many residents. He urged journalists to emphasize both the urgency of the enrollment deadline and the financial relief the programs provide, while encouraging New Yorkers to share the information directly with friends, neighbors, and family members.
The mayor noted that applications are available online in 13 languages, with interpretation services in more than 200 languages offered by phone and at Family Welcome Centers. He said this multilingual access is essential to ensuring that all families, regardless of background, can take advantage of the programs.
Closing his remarks, Mamdani framed universal Pre-K and 3-K as part of a broader effort to make life more affordable in what he called “the most expensive city in the United States,” arguing that expanding access to early childhood education is one way New Yorkers look out for one another and invest in the next generation.
