ICE Arrests: Democrat Charged with Helping Those Under Attack
- New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, also a mayoral candidate, was arrested Tuesday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while observing proceedings at a Manhattan immigration court.
- Lander, a Democrat, was at 26 Federal Plaza, where an increasing number of migrants appearing for court hearings have been detained by ICE agents in recent weeks.
- Critics argue that the DHS, under the leadership of Kristi Noem, is deliberately targeting refugees and asylum seekers who are actively participating in the legal process to gain...
in a stunning turn of events, NYC Comptroller Brad lander was arrested by ICE, sparking immediate outrage.critics are denouncing the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) tactics, alleging they target asylum seekers participating in legal immigration processes. This move, which saw Lander attempting to aid a migrant, has ignited a fierce debate surrounding the weaponization of law enforcement.The arrest highlights growing concerns over how the DHS handles immigration cases, including claims of secretly dismissing cases adn then detaining individuals. News Directory 3 has the full story, detailing the timeline and implications of this controversial arrest.discover what’s next …
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Arrested During ICE Immigration Court visit
Updated June 18, 2025
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, also a mayoral candidate, was arrested Tuesday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while observing proceedings at a Manhattan immigration court. The arrest has ignited a firestorm of criticism against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its immigration enforcement tactics.
Lander, a Democrat, was at 26 Federal Plaza, where an increasing number of migrants appearing for court hearings have been detained by ICE agents in recent weeks. He was attempting to assist a migrant when he was taken into custody. A DHS spokeswoman said Lander assaulted and impeded a federal officer, though formal charges have not been filed.
Critics argue that the DHS, under the leadership of Kristi Noem, is deliberately targeting refugees and asylum seekers who are actively participating in the legal process to gain permission to stay in the U.S. Reports indicate that the DHS is secretly dismissing cases and then having ICE agents arrest individuals as they leave the courtroom,effectively circumventing due process.
The arrest of Lander has amplified concerns about the weaponization of law enforcement against individuals complying with immigration laws. Supporters of Lander contend he was simply trying to ensure that people’s civil rights were protected.
video footage from the courthouse shows plainclothes officers pushing through a crowd to arrest a migrant man as Lander stood nearby. Lander was released after two hours, but the migrant he was assisting remains in detention and faces potential deportation.
The Trump governance defended the actions,with a DHS spokeswoman stating that Lander “was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer.” She added that ICE officers face a “413 percent increase in assaults against them.”
Lander has been actively visiting immigration courts to aid those at risk from the DHS’s new tactics.He has done so twice before without incident.
Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller who is running for mayor, was arrested on Tuesday by federal agents at an immigration courthouse in Lower Manhattan as he tried to escort a migrant whom agents were seeking to arrest.
Mr. Lander, a Democrat, was observing proceedings at the city’s main immigration courthouse, at 26 Federal Plaza, where an increasing number of migrants who appear for court have been arrested in recent weeks by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security later said that Mr. Lander had assaulted and impeded a law enforcement officer, though as of Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Lander had not been formally charged.
Videos taken by reporters at the courthouse show Mr. Lander standing by a migrant man in a hallway on the 12th floor when several men in plainclothes who appear to be law enforcement officers, some wearing masks, push past a crowd in the hallway to arrest the migrant.
What’s next
The incident is expected to fuel further debate over immigration policy and the role of federal law enforcement in handling asylum seekers.Calls for investigations into the DHS’s tactics are anticipated.