NYC Mayoral Hopeful Brad Lander‍ arrested at Immigration Court Protest

Updated June 17, 2025
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New York City Comptroller and Democratic ‌mayoral primary candidate Brad Lander⁤ was arrested Tuesday while ​attempting to escort a defendant from immigration court, according to his campaign. The incident occurred at 26 Federal Plaza.

A video circulating on Lander’s X account shows him being handcuffed and led away by law ⁣enforcement. Lander can be heard protesting the arrest, asserting ​that authorities lacked⁣ the power to detain U.S. citizens.the U.S.Attorney’s office ⁢for the Southern ⁣District of New York is investigating the arrest.

The arrest underscores the charged ⁤political atmosphere surrounding President Donald‌ Trump’s immigration policies. Just days prior, Sen. Alex Padilla,D-Calif., was also handcuffed and removed from a press conference by federal agents in Los ⁢angeles.

Dora Pekec, Lander’s spokesperson, stated that he was apprehended by masked agents ⁣from U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while escorting a defendant. The Department⁣ of‍ Homeland Security, which oversees⁤ ICE, said Lander‍ was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding‌ a federal officer. He was released Tuesday afternoon.

The Democratic primary is considered the key election in New York city, where Republican candidates often struggle. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in 2021, and Zohran Mamdani are⁢ also leading contenders.

Lander’s role in⁣ the protest and subsequent arrest has drawn condemnation‍ from his political rivals.

‌ “This is the latest example of‍ the extreme ​thuggery of Trump’s ICE out of control — one can onyl ​imagine the fear families across our⁢ country feel when confronted with ICE,” Cuomo ⁢said.

Mamdani called Lander’s arrest a result of an⁤ “authoritarian crisis” under President Trump. ‍He added that standing up for immigrant neighbors should be celebrated, ​not ⁢condemned.

What’s next

The U.S. Attorney’s​ office examination is ongoing. the incident is highly likely to further fuel the debate ‌over immigration policy in the⁤ upcoming‌ mayoral primary.