Brad Lander, New York City’s comptroller and a leading Democratic candidate for mayor, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside Manhattan’s federal immigration court on Tuesday.
Lander was at 26 Federal Plaza, the city’s main immigration courthouse, to observe proceedings and support immigrants facing deportation. According to multiple eyewitness reports and video footage, Lander was escorting a defendant out of the courthouse when several masked ICE agents approached and attempted to detain the individual. Lander linked arms with the man, repeatedly demanding to see a judicial warrant from the agents. As agents tried to separate the two, Lander continued to assert that ICE lacked the authority to arrest U.S. citizens without proper judicial documentation.
After a brief struggle, agents forcibly separated Lander from the defendant, pressed him against a wall, and handcuffed him. Throughout the arrest, Lander insisted, “You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant.”
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Lander was arrested for “assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer,” alleging that he compromised public safety and attempted to create a viral moment for political gain. ICE officials cited a surge in assaults against officers and said no one, including politicians, is above the law.
Lander was detained for several hours before being released. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is currently investigating the incident and has not yet decided whether to file formal charges.
During President Trump’s second term, a notable number of elected officials and even judges have been detained or arrested, primarily in connection with protests or actions opposing federal immigration enforcement.
Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed during a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles. Padilla attempted to question the secretary about ongoing immigration raids, leading to a physical confrontation with security personnel who mistook his actions for aggression. Padilla was not formally arrested.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI and indicted on federal charges for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest by federal agents outside her courtroom. Dugan was charged with obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Her arrest and subsequent suspension by the Wisconsin Supreme Court have been criticized by legal professionals and civil rights advocates as an attack on judicial independence and due process.
Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, was arrested outside an ICE detention facility in Newark during a protest against the facility’s opening. Baraka, along with several other officials, was charged with trespassing after refusing to leave the premises when ordered by Homeland Security officials. The charges against Baraka were later dropped.
Congresswoman LaMonica McIver was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly assaulting and interfering with federal law enforcement officers during the same protest at the Newark ICE facility that led to Mayor Baraka’s arrest. McIver has vowed to fight the charges, characterizing the indictment as political intimidation aimed at silencing opposition to Trump’s immigration policies.
