New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have released a joint advertisement urging families to enroll their children in the city’s free 3-K and Pre-K programs before the February 27 deadline. The video, is delivered in Spanish to reach a broad audience and emphasizes that the programs are available to all New York City families regardless of occupation, income, or immigration status.
🚨 Mayor Mamdani and AOC release ad to encourage illegal aliens to sign up for 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 𝘾𝙃𝙄𝙇𝘿𝘾𝘼𝙍𝙀, in Spanish pic.twitter.com/feAOAHa77s
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 24, 2026
In the advertisement, Mayor Mamdani begins by noting the urgency of the enrollment period. “This is the last week for parents to register their children for the 2026–27 school year, so to give it one last push, I decided to call a friend. My Spanish isn’t the best.”
Representative Ocasio-Cortez then continues, explaining the eligibility and process. “No, don’t worry, Mayor. If your son or daughter is turning three or four in 2026, you can register them for free in the City of New York’s 3-K or Pre-K program, but you must register by February 27, which is the deadline. Any New York City family, regardless of occupation, income, or immigration status, is eligible to register their children.”
She highlights the financial burden that childcare has placed on families. “For too long, families in New York City have suffered deep financial hardship from the cost of childcare, paying up to $26,000 per child each year. That’s not sustainable. It’s not fair, and it’s not inevitable.”
Ocasio-Cortez describes the straightforward application options. “We’ve made the application process easy, no matter who you are. There are three ways to register. First, you can apply online through the website on your screen. Second, you can call 718-935-2009 and receive services in more than 200 languages, because no family should be excluded from our programs just because of their language. And third, you can visit one of our Family Welcome Centers located throughout the five boroughs, where our staff are ready to support you.”
She concludes by stressing the guaranteed access and broader impact. “We have the power to do something different. If you apply by the deadline, February 27, your child will have a guaranteed spot in the 3-K or Pre-K program. Because free childcare is one of the most important ways we can make a more affordable city for everyone.”
The advertisement aligns with Mayor Mamdani’s ongoing push to expand access to early childhood education as part of efforts to address affordability in what remains one of the most expensive cities in the United States. On January 24, during a roundtable with ethnic and constituency media, Mamdani reinforced the universal nature of the programs and the city’s sanctuary policies. “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
The push comes amid the city’s broader initiative toward universal childcare, building on existing Pre-K and 3-K frameworks with recent expansions and partnerships, including efforts to extend services to younger children. With the deadline approaching, city officials are using multiple channels to ensure wide awareness and participation among all resident families.
