Mayor Zohran Mamdani wouldn’t distance himself from a handpicked House candidate with a series of unhinged social media posts who now says she is against deporting anyone — even if they committed heinous crimes.
Hizzoner’s candidate in New York’s 13th Congressional district, Darializa Avila Chevalier, made the radical omission late last week in an interview that all deportations are “wrong.”
“If we are saying all deportation is wrong, though, that would seem to also include people who were convicted of breaking US criminal law,” the Vox reporter asked, adding, “Is the deportation wrong for those people?”
“Yes,” the 34-year-old socialist responded, before offering up her rambling, nonsensical reasoning.
Mamdani tried to dodge the reporters on Monday when first questioned about his candidate’s extreme stance by pivoting to his support of New York City’s sanctuary city status.
When pressed again, the young socialist tried to deflect by telling reporters, “I’ve been clear about where I stand on this.”
“I’m looking forward to making sure that a city where more than 3 million New Yorkers are of an immigrant background, including myself, is one where they understand we’re going to follow the laws that we have, and we’re proud to do,” the mayor continued.
Mamdani has not directly voiced a stance on whether criminal immigrants should be deported.
On the campaign trail, the Democratic Socialists of America member vowed to “Trump-proof” and resist ICE.
Mamdani recently backed Avila Chevalier as she aims to take down incumbent Adriano Espaillat.