ICE Arrests Brad Lander: NYC Mayoral Candidate
- New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a Democratic candidate for mayor, was arrested Tuesday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
- Barnette stated on X, formerly Twitter, that Lander was taken into custody by masked agents while escorting a defendant from the courthouse.
- Video footage circulating online shows officers,some masked,approaching Lander outside the courtroom.
ICE agents arrested New York City Comptroller Brad Lander,a Democratic mayoral candidate,outside an immigration court. The arrest, citing assault and impeding an officer, unfolded Tuesday, sparking immediate reactions. LanderS wife reported the arrest on social media, while video footage surfaced online depicting the events. Details are still emerging regarding formal charges and the legal response. The arrest follows similar incidents, raising concerns about the current administration’s actions. New York Attorney General Letitia James denounced the detention. For in-depth reporting, visit News Directory 3. What will this mean for the upcoming mayoral primary in New York City? Discover what’s next …
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Arrested Outside Immigration Court
Updated June 17, 2025
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a Democratic candidate for mayor, was arrested Tuesday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The arrest took place outside the federal immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, according to his wife, Meg Barnette.
Barnette stated on X, formerly Twitter, that Lander was taken into custody by masked agents while escorting a defendant from the courthouse. she added that her team is closely monitoring the developing situation.
Video footage circulating online shows officers,some masked,approaching Lander outside the courtroom. The comptroller is seen repeatedly requesting a judicial warrant before being handcuffed, according to the video posted by Barnette.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the arrest was for “assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer.” Though, it remains unclear if these will be the formal charges.As of Tuesday afternoon, Lander remained in custody. barnette noted that Lander has both a personal lawyer and counsel from the city.
“I am just very aware of how I feel right now watching Brad being taken away and that it’s going to be ok, and for all of those other families in there, they can’t say that,” Barnette said during a press conference.
Lander, who is running in next week’s Democratic primary for New York City mayor, has observed proceedings at the immigration courthouse on at least two prior occasions, Barnette said.
The arrest follows a similar incident days earlier in Los Angeles, where police handcuffed Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., after he was removed from a press conference held by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
Padilla, speaking from the Senate floor, said, “if that is what the administration is going to do to a United States senator for having the authority to simply ask a question, imagine what they will do to any American who dares to speak up.”
New York Attorney General letitia James called Lander’s detention “profoundly unacceptable.”
James added in a statement that “arresting Comptroller Lander for the simple act of standing up for immigrants and their civil rights is a shocking abuse of power.” She also described it as a “grotesque escalation of tensions” and asserted that the Trump administration’s actions “only makes our communities less safe.”
What’s next
The situation surrounding Brad Lander’s arrest is still unfolding. Further details regarding formal charges and legal proceedings are expected to emerge in the coming days as his legal team responds to the allegations. The incident is highly likely to have implications for the upcoming mayoral primary and the broader political landscape in New York City.