On June 17, 2025, New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while escorting an immigrant defendant out of an immigration court in Manhattan. The incident occurred at 26 Federal Plaza, where Lander was part of a court-observer program aimed at protecting undocumented individuals from unlawful detainment after hearings.
The arrest, captured on video, shows Lander linking arms with a man identified only as Edgardo, demanding to see a judicial warrant before letting go. “I will let go when you show me the judicial warrant,” Lander stated. Moments later, he was physically separated by masked agents and handcuffed. He was detained for several hours and later released without charges.
Brad Lander was participating in the “Friend of the Court” initiative. This civic program, involving lawyers, elected officials, and volunteers, offers support to immigrants undergoing legal proceedings by providing a public witness presence and, at times, physical accompaniment.
Earlier in the day, Lander had escorted three families safely out of court after their deportation cases were dismissed. His arrest took place during his fourth such escort of the day, when ICE agents moved in aggressively despite the dismissal of Edgardo’s case. Witnesses say the agents had no court-issued warrant, only an administrative removal order, which does not grant legal authority to make arrests in public spaces without consent or exigent circumstances.
The incident has sparked rare bipartisan condemnation from across New York and the broader political landscape. Progressive figures, civil rights organizations, and rival candidates alike voiced their concern:
Despite ideological differences, most agreed that Lander’s arrest sends a dangerous message about the suppression of political dissent and advocacy for immigrants.
Lander’s arrest is not an isolated incident. Recent months have seen a sharp increase in aggressive courthouse detentions by ICE agents, particularly targeting individuals whose deportation cases were dismissed or delayed.
In May, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was detained by ICE agents while inspecting detention conditions at Delaney Hall. Charges were ultimately dropped, but the confrontation led to renewed calls for transparency in federal enforcement operations.
Likewise, Senator Alex Padilla was briefly held earlier this month in California after confronting immigration officials over the lack of legal representation for detainees. Legal scholars and immigration attorneys warn that these arrests reflect a national shift toward more forceful, expedited removals, often circumventing due process.
The timing of the arrest—just days before the Democratic primary on June 24—has elevated Lander’s visibility in a tightly contested race. Prior to the incident, Lander polled at around 8%, trailing behind frontrunners Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani.
Political analysts say the event may energize progressive voters and shine a spotlight on immigration enforcement as a top campaign issue. Lander has built his platform on government transparency, immigrant protections, and reducing over-policing in New York communities.
In a public statement following his release, Lander said, “The real injustice isn’t what happened to me—it’s what happens to thousands of immigrants every day who don’t have lawyers, public attention, or anyone to stand beside them.”
Immigration rights groups and civil liberties organizations have sounded the alarm on what they call a growing threat to constitutional protections and due process. While ICE insists it was executing a lawful removal, critics argue that the lack of a judicial warrant and the use of physical force against an elected official crosses a legal and ethical line.
New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) Executive Director Donna Lieberman stated, “This arrest is not only shocking—it’s unlawful. ICE has no business turning our courtrooms into hunting grounds.”
Advocates are calling for New York City to strengthen sanctuary protections and ensure that local officials, including elected leaders, are not penalized for advocating for vulnerable residents.
In the aftermath, several key demands have emerged:
Democratic leaders are also urging the Biden administration to review ICE practices and ensure that local governance is not undermined by federal overreach.
Brad Lander has confirmed he will continue his campaign. He has doubled down on his immigrant rights message, promising to create a city where “no one is afraid to go to court, school, or the hospital.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has not issued an apology or retraction. A spokesperson defended the arrest as part of an ongoing removal operation and suggested Lander’s interference posed a safety threat.
As New York heads toward a crucial election, the incident remains under investigation by multiple oversight bodies. It could become a defining moment not just for Lander’s political career, but for the future of immigration enforcement practices in urban centers.
For more details and full coverage, visit The Washington Post.
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