New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was taken into custody Tuesday by federal officers while inside an immigration court. The Associated Press
New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander walked out of federal custody Tuesday afternoon after immigration officers detained him for a few hours. The arrest happened at an immigration court in Manhattan, where Lander tried to accompany a migrant who officers were planning to arrest.
Lander had been following immigration court cases for days. He joined migrants as they exited their hearings, responding to reports of people getting arrested right after court dismissals.
Incident Captured on Camera
Videos from the courthouse show officers approaching Lander and a migrant he was walking beside. As officers tried to detain the migrant, Lander locked arms with the man. A struggle followed when Lander and others did not step aside. One officer pushed Lander against a wall and handcuffed him.
"You don’t have a judicial warrant," Lander said in one video. "I’m not obstructing."
Released Without Charges
About four hours later, Lander walked out of the federal building with his wife and New York’s Governor. A large crowd of supporters, including fellow mayoral candidates, had gathered outside.
“I’m going home tonight to sleep in my bed, safe with my family,” Lander told reporters. “They’re not bringing charges now, but if they do, I’ll be ready.”
He said he wasn’t expecting to be arrested and insisted the incident was not a political stunt before the election.
Governor Hochul and Allies Respond
Governor Kathy Hochul, who was inside the court building during the arrest, reacted angrily. “We’re a far better country than what we’re experiencing,” she told the press. “This is New York, land of immigrants.”
State Attorney General Letitia James, one of Lander’s supporters, backed him strongly. She denied that he assaulted any officers and said arrests at immigration courts are happening due to pressure on officers to meet arrest targets.
DHS Defends Officers’ Actions
Federal officials criticized Lander’s actions. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said, “No one is above the law. Assaulting officers has consequences.” The agency claimed Lander blocked officers from doing their job and helped cause a dangerous situation.
Federal law bars anyone from attacking officers or interfering with court actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan confirmed they are reviewing the matter and will act if laws were broken.
Lander Calls Out Immigration Arrests
After being released, Lander said he wanted to bring attention to what he called unfair arrests. He said many migrants leave court without knowing they might be detained afterward. Some don’t have lawyers or know what’s happening.
He said he had previously helped four families leave the court safely. But on Tuesday, the person he was with got taken by ICE. Lander said he now doesn’t know where that person is being held.
What’s Next?
Lander, who is running in a busy Democratic primary for mayor, said he will continue fighting for immigrants’ rights. He remains firm that his actions were meant to support due process.
