AAF Welcomes Mayor Mamdani’s Executive Order to Reduce Fees and Penalties for Small Businesses

Executive Order 11 instructs City agencies to create an inventory and identify ways to cut fees and fines for NYC small businesses

New York, NY — The Asian American Federation welcomes Executive Order 11 signed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani to inventory and reduce fines and penalties that disproportionately burden New York City’s small businesses.

Immigrant-owned businesses are a backbone of the city’s economy. They create jobs, anchor commercial and cultural corridors, and provide essential goods and services to neighborhoods across all five boroughs. Yet many of these businesses operate with thin margins and face layers of government regulations that are often difficult to navigate—particularly for owners with limited English proficiency, limited access to legal or technical support, or demanding schedules. Excessive or duplicative fines can quickly add up and disrupt operations, threatening the long-term viability of otherwise responsible businesses.

This executive order is a meaningful step toward a more equitable and practical regulatory environment—one that prioritizes education, compliance, and business sustainability over punishment. It recognizes that supporting small businesses, especially immigrant entrepreneurs, is essential to New York City’s economic recovery and long-term growth.

We look forward to working closely with the Mamdani administration to ensure this effort leads to tangible relief for immigrant-owned small businesses and stronger, more resilient local economies across New York City.