New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents on Tuesday after an incident at an immigration court. The arrest reportedly stemmed from Lander allegedly assaulting a federal officer while trying to question the legality of an operation involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The event took place at 26 Federal Plaza, where Lander was seen in video footage holding onto ICE agents as they escorted a defendant. He repeatedly asked them for a judicial warrant, demanding to know, "Where is it? Where is the warrant?" This confrontation led to the DHS stating that Lander would face charges for assaulting law enforcement and obstructing a federal officer.
A DHS spokesperson expressed concern over the rising number of assaults against ICE officers, highlighting a 413% increase in such incidents. They emphasized that no one is above the law and warned that assaulting an officer would lead to serious consequences.
The arrest has drawn significant criticism from various public officials. Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, called it an abuse of power and a threat to democracy. She argued that arresting a public official for asking questions sends a dangerous message about the treatment of those who challenge federal authorities.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also condemned the arrest, stating it was unacceptable to intimidate someone for standing up for immigrants’ rights. She described Lander’s actions as a courageous defense of civil rights and criticized the escalation of tensions around immigration enforcement.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo weighed in, labeling the arrest as an example of ICE’s overreach and expressing concern about the fear it instills in families regarding their safety and rights. Other mayoral candidates, including Scott Stringer and Zohran Kwame Mamdani, called for Lander’s immediate release, describing the incident as a troubling politicization of federal immigration enforcement.
The arrest occurred less than a month after charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka were dropped for a similar confrontation at an ICE facility, highlighting ongoing tensions between local officials and federal immigration agents. As reactions continue to unfold, the incident raises important questions about the balance between enforcing immigration laws and protecting civil liberties.