Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller and a prominent candidate for mayor, recently faced an arrest at an immigration court on Tuesday. Despite the serious allegations of assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer, Lander stated that he has not been charged. The incident occurred while he was escorting a defendant out of immigration court in Manhattan, according to his campaign spokesperson, Dora Pekec.
During the court proceedings, Lander was reportedly taken into custody by masked agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Following his release, Lander addressed the media, expressing relief that charges had not been filed against him. "I'm grateful to hear that the charges are not being brought, but if they are, I've got a lawyer," Lander commented during a press briefing. He emphasized his commitment to due process by drawing attention to the plight of a detainee named Edgardo, who he described as being stripped of his rights.
The response to Lander's detainment was swift and critical. New York Governor Kathy Hochul described the video of the incident as "shocking," stating, "This is a sorry day for New York and our country." A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security condemned the actions of politicians like Lander, asserting that "no one is above the law," and warned that touching a law enforcement officer would lead to consequences.
Lander firmly denied the allegations against him, asserting, "I certainly did not assault an officer." He explained that this marked the third consecutive week he had attended the courthouse to observe the immigration proceedings. "I did not come today expecting to get arrested," he said, expressing disappointment that he could not achieve his goal of helping Edgardo.
Support for Lander came from his wife, Meg Barnette, who accompanied him to the courthouse. She recounted that Lander and other activists had linked arms with Edgardo, requesting to see a judicial warrant for his deportation when they were confronted by ICE agents. "I am confident Brad's going to be out soon and am very proud of him for standing up," she stated during a press briefing.
Lander, who was elected as comptroller in 2021, is among several candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming mayoral primary scheduled for June 24. Following his release, he reiterated the importance of having a mayor who will advocate for immigrants and uphold the laws of New York City, stating, "This is a sanctuary city. I was proud to co-sponsor those laws and I'm going to show up and defend them."
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from fellow politicians, including his rival mayoral candidates. Zohran Mamdani, a state assemblymember and Democratic hopeful, criticized Lander's arrest, framing it as a symptom of the "authoritarian crisis" under the Trump administration. "Standing up for our immigrant neighbors should be celebrated, not condemned," he emphasized.
New York Attorney General Letitia James called Lander's arrest "profoundly unacceptable," describing it as a "shocking abuse of power." She condemned the environment of fear and intimidation that has developed in courthouses, claiming that this incident represents a grotesque escalation of tensions. Similarly, Democratic New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver voiced her disapproval of the administration's actions, characterizing the situation as a horrifying state of affairs for the nation.
As the investigation continues, Lander's situation remains a focal point of discussion surrounding immigration policy and the rights of individuals facing deportation in the United States.
