Free Child Care Enrollment Announcement

New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have encouraged residents of all immigration statuses to register for free child care in a recent video. The video was shared by Mamdani just before the deadline for enrolling in the city’s pre-K and K-12 programs.

The announcement was made in Spanish, though it included English subtitles. Mamdani remarked, “This is the last week for parents to register their children for the 2026-2027 school year, so as a final push, we decided to bring a friend,” as Ocasio-Cortez joined him, greeting viewers in Spanish. It was a light-hearted moment when Mamdani jokingly commented on her Spanish skills.

Ocasio-Cortez stated, “If your child turns 3 or 4 in 2026, you can enroll them in free 3K or Pre-K in New York City. However, you must apply by the February 27 deadline.” She assured that any parent residing in New York City is eligible, regardless of their job, income, or immigration status.

Mamdani first mentioned the policy during a discussion on pre-K and tri-K programs on January 23, underscoring that enrollment is open to all residents. He emphasized that, “This is an example of the city’s program where we encourage everyone to apply and identify themselves as part of it and know that we intend to use all the laws that are here to protect the health and safety of everyone who signs up. These are not programs that ask about children’s immigration status.”

On another note, Mamdani previously shared tips on how to navigate interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. He has also expressed his support for abolishing ICE during a January appearance on “The View.”

Additionally, his budget proposal for the fiscal year 2027 includes an allocation of $1.2 billion specifically for immigrants arriving in New York City, as reported by the New York Post.