Federal Agents Arrest NYC Mayoral Candidate at Immigration Court
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander — a top city official and declared mayoral candidate — was arrested by federal immigration agents on Tuesday while escorting a man out of immigration court, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage and claims of abuse of power.
Lander, a long-time progressive and vocal advocate for immigrant rights, was handcuffed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who accused him of “assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer,” according to an ICE spokesperson.
The arrest occurred amid a broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump, who has ordered federal agencies to intensify raids and deport undocumented immigrants across the country.
Video footage of the arrest shows Lander calmly walking with an immigrant defendant through a courthouse hallway while asking ICE officers to present a judicial warrant for the man’s detention.
As officers moved in, Lander can be heard saying, “You don’t have authority to arrest U.S. citizens,” before being handcuffed and taken away.
A spokesperson for Lander’s mayoral campaign said he was peacefully assisting an individual after a court appearance and that the arrest was politically charged.
“Brad did not assault anyone. He was upholding civil rights,” the campaign said.
ICE officials, however, accused Lander of interfering with law enforcement. “ICE officers are facing a 413% increase in assaults.
Politicians undermining their work for viral moments are making their jobs more dangerous,” said Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
The arrest drew immediate condemnation from prominent officials and civil rights groups.
New York Attorney General Letitia James denounced the incident as “a shocking abuse of power,” stating, “No one should be arrested for standing up for civil rights.
This sends a chilling message to anyone who dares to question ICE’s authority.”
Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, called the arrest “a dangerous act of political intimidation” and warned that it signals “ICE’s willingness to sidestep legal norms and target even elected officials.”
ICE has increasingly faced criticism for aggressive tactics and questionable legal authority, particularly concerning courthouse arrests and the detention of immigrants without judicial warrants.
The arrest of a sitting city official is likely to heighten scrutiny and fuel calls for reform.
As of Tuesday evening, Lander’s legal team said he had been released and is consulting with civil rights attorneys regarding possible legal action.
His campaign said he remains committed to defending immigrant communities and called the incident “a wake-up call” for all New Yorkers.
Federal Agents Arrest NYC Mayoral Candidate at Immigration Court