On June 17, 2025, New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested at a Manhattan immigration courthouse after linking arms with a man facing deportation. Lander intervened to demand a judicial warrant and prevent the detention, asserting that the immigrant "doesn't have a lawyer," highlighting heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
Incident Summary
Lander had been observing immigration court hearings and escorted individuals exiting the courtroom as part of the "Friend of the Court" program. Federal agents arrested him after he linked arms with an immigrant detainee during an attempted ICE arrest, claiming he was impeding law enforcement. Video footage shows Lander firmly holding the man’s arm for more than 40 seconds, demanding to see a warrant before being handcuffed and led away.
Charges and Release
DHS later stated Lander was arrested for “assaulting and impeding” federal officers, accusations he denies, maintaining that he was merely accompanying the immigrant and not using force. He was released after several hours and insisted the immigrant, who is currently detained, lacks legal representation.
Context and Political Repercussions
This marks one of several recent cases involving Democratic officials confronting ICE operations. Governor Kathy Hochul said the arrest was "bullshit," while others called it an abuse of power. Similar arrests include Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. LaMonica McIver highlighted the escalating tensions surrounding procedures at immigration courts.
Lander’s Advocacy & Policy Demands
Lander, who launched his mayoral bid in July 2024, has consistently criticized aggressive ICE tactics, calling court arrests “lawless” and urging New York City to expand legal services for immigrants. On June 10, his office demanded a $170 million investment in legal aid and protection for undocumented residents, overhauling immigration services cut under Mayor Adams.
Impact on Mayoral Race
The arrest comes just one week before New York's Democratic primary, on June 24, with early voting underway. Candidates like Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani have expressed solidarity with Lander, spotlighting immigration policy as a central campaign issue.
Wider Implications
The incident illustrates heightened clashes in immigration courts, where ICE agents have increasingly detained individuals immediately after favorable rulings, raising concerns about due process. Federal actions have triggered calls for local defenses, as New York City debates sanctuary protections, warrant requirements, and legal representation for noncitizens.
Brad Lander’s arrest at 26 Federal Plaza is a stark example of intensified confrontations at U.S. immigration courts. It spotlights debates over civil rights, judicial due process, and the balance of federal authority—issues increasingly shaping public policy and electoral politics, including his own mayoral campaign.
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