NEW YORK — Brad Lander, New York City’s Comptroller and a candidate for mayoral office under the Democratic banner, found himself detained by federal agents at Manhattan’s immigration court on Tuesday. The arrest followed a physical stand-off as Lander linked arms with a man whom authorities were trying to apprehend, a scene witnessed not only by a reporter on the ground but by multiple journalists capturing the event.
Lander’s arrest has placed him among a series of Democratic figures confronting the Trump administration’s notorious detention and deportation strategies. He was released after several hours in custody, with the U.S. attorney’s office indicating an ongoing investigation into whether his actions warranted criminal charges. The immigrant who Lander was defending also faced arrest during the incident.
During the morning, Lander had closely observed immigration court hearings, explaining to reporters his purpose of “accompanying” some immigrants out of the building. The confrontation escalated rapidly as federal agents approached a man exiting a courtroom. Lander linked arms with him, demanding to see a judicial warrant, while photographers captured the ensuing chaos of agents attempting to separate them. Ultimately, agents pulled the two apart, placing Lander’s hands behind his back.
“I’m not obstructing. I’m standing right here in the hallway,” Lander protested as he was handcuffed. However, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin announced he was arrested for “assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer.”
Post-release, Lander appeared with his wife and New York Governor Kathy Hochul amidst a crowd’s cheers, clarifying to the press that his intention was merely to hold the detainee’s arm, denying any assault on an officer. “I am happy to report that I am just fine. I lost a button,” Lander humorously remarked, with plans to return to the immigration court as a nonviolent protest against Trump’s immigration policies.
He highlighted the plight of the man from whom he was separated, noting that he lacks legal representation and faces the daunting prospect of sleeping in a detention center. The episode emerged against the backdrop of ongoing large-scale detentions by federal immigration officers outside courtrooms nationwide, which often follow expedited removal orders granted post-dismissal of immigration cases.
Expressing outrage at these practices, Lander lamented, “They remove any opportunity for due process.” His arrest is reminiscent of a recent incident involving Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka, who was detained on trespassing charges outside a local immigration detention center, charges which were later dismissed. Congressman LaMonica McIver also faced charges from the same episode, though she has denied any wrongdoing.
Elsewhere, Democratic Senator Alex Padilla faced a forceful removal at a Los Angeles press event last week as he attempted to speak out against immigration raids. Padilla has since urged the public to vocally oppose these actions. In the hotly contested New York City Democratic mayoral primary, Lander’s arrest has drawn swift criticism from fellow candidates.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, himself in the race, denounced the situation as emblematic of the feared intensity of Trump’s immigration enforcement. Several other candidates, including Zohran Mamdani, openly supported Lander, while Governor Hochul likened the arrest to waste in a social media post.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton’s office reiterated its commitment to prosecuting any violations of federal law, highlighting the importance of maintaining safety and security during official proceedings and ensuring all participants’ protection.