Since the Trump administration intensified its efforts against illegal immigration in the U.S., several Democrats have been notably arrested for allegedly obstructing ICE agents and stirring up unrest during protests.
From an elected official in New York City to a senator from California, a small group of left-leaning politicians are making headlines by pushing back against Trump’s policies.
Following a shooting involving ICE in Minneapolis, many liberals quickly accused Republicans of provoking the incident that resulted in the death of protester Renee Nicole Good at the hands of federal agents.
Here’s a rundown of some Democratic politicians who have recently grabbed attention due to their actions.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander
Brad Lander was arrested last June in Manhattan’s federal immigration court after trying to interject as a masked federal agent blocked immigrants from exiting a hearing.
A chaotic video that many criticized as a political stunt depicted Lander—an unsuccessful mayoral candidate—requesting a warrant before he was handcuffed, facing accusations of assaulting law enforcement and interfering with a federal officer.
After several hours in detention, he was released, and the charges against him were dropped.
Lander was arrested a second time in September during an ICE operation for obstructing the elevator bank at 26 Federal Plaza, where immigration court was in session.
He pleaded not guilty to a Class C federal misdemeanor, asserting that the actual crime lay with the federal agents.
“I have pleaded not guilty because the crime was not us sitting on the elevator lobby floor on the 10th floor. The crime was being committed by ICE agents on the other side of the 10th floor,” he stated after his arraignment.
New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver
Rep. LaMonica McIver of New Jersey faces federal assault charges for allegedly attacking an ICE officer during a protest at one of the state’s immigration detention centers last spring.
McIver was amongst several officials, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, arrested while attempting to enter Delaney Hall during a tumultuous protest in May.
Prosecutors claim she “slammed” the ICE officer with her forearm while trying to assist the mayor’s arrest.
A federal judge recently dismissed McIver’s attempt to have the charges dropped, arguing her actions were part of her legislative duties.
McIver termed the charges as “purely political” and blamed ICE officers for the altercation.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
Mayor Baraka, arrested alongside McIver, initially faced trespassing charges, which were dropped just ten days later.
Subsequently, he filed a lawsuit against New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Haba, claiming “malicious prosecution” and a violation of his Fourth Amendment rights.
Haba contended that Baraka ignored warnings from Homeland Security and left the facility, while the mayor insisted that officers detained him after following orders.
California State Senator Alex Padilla
Senator Alex Padilla faced removal from a Homeland Security briefing in Los Angeles last June when he attempted to confront Secretary Kristi Noem about the ongoing anti-ICE protests.
“Secretary, I want to know why you insist on exaggeration and embellishment,” he said, prompting angry responses from the audience as security escorted him out.
Footage showed Padilla being handcuffed and pushed to the ground outside the venue.
Noem later claimed that only Secret Service agents detained him for her safety.
Following the incident, Noem expressed her willingness to keep communication open, saying they disagree on many issues but should continue to talk and share information.
“I wish he had acted like that from the beginning instead of creating a scene like this,” she remarked.
