On the eve of the 2025 New York City mayoral election, Texas Governor Greg Abbott made a provocative statement: he said he will impose a “100% tariff” on any individuals relocating to Texas from New York City if Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor.
Abbott posted on social media that “after the polls close tomorrow night, I will impose a 100% tariff on anyone moving to Texas from NYC,” linking his warning to mounting concerns about a potential exodus of New York residents under a Mamdani administration.
The backdrop to his comment is a recent poll suggesting hundreds of thousands of New York City residents are considering leaving if Mamdani wins. Abbott’s remark ties into broader national conservative opposition to the progressive candidate’s platform.
However, the tariff proposal immediately raised questions about legality and practicality:
- Interstate travel and migration within the U.S. are constitutionally protected, and states cannot impose tariffs or excessive burdens on individuals.
- A “tariff” typically applies to imported goods, not human relocation.
- Indeed, political analysts note that Abbott’s statement appears largely symbolic and aimed at energizing his political base rather than a feasible policy.
Despite its questionable legality, the comment adds another layer of drama to a high-stakes mayoral contest, reflecting both the national attention being paid to the race and the ideological fault lines it has exposed.
