Brad Lander, a Democratic candidate for mayor and current director in New York City, was apprehended by agents from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following claims that he physically confronted authorities and obstructed an arrest involving someone linked to him.
Tricia McLaughlin, the Deputy Director of Homeland Security, stated that Lander was “arrested for attacking law enforcement and obstructing federal officials.”
Before the incident, Lander mentioned he was simply “observing” an immigration court hearing to assist non-citizens inside the building.
In the video from the event, Lander repeatedly asked to see an arrest warrant as law enforcement moved to detain him for obstruction. He could be heard asserting, “You don’t have the authority to arrest US citizens. I’m not obstructing; I’m standing in the hallway.” He continued to state his rights regarding the warrant.
A tweet regarding the incident highlighted, “NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander had just been arrested by ICE after he began obstructing ICE operations at immigration court.” The post suggested that such actions by Democrats should cease in the pursuit of political gain.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security mentioned a significant increase in attacks on ICE officers, calling out politicians for undermining law enforcement safety. They warned, “Putting your hands on a law enforcement officer will face consequences.”
After his release, Lander commented, “I’m happy to report that I’m fine. I lost the button.” He also emphasized the importance of standing up for those without legal representation, indicating he would continue attending these hearings weekly.
Lander expressed concern that the undocumented individuals he aimed to support would not have legal assistance and could end up sleeping in ICE detention facilities.
His arrest led to significant backlash from other Democratic contenders, including Andrew Cuomo, the former governor. Councillor and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani added that ICE’s actions seemed more about terror than justice, expressing the need for courageous leadership amidst challenging times.
Early voting for the upcoming New York City mayoral election is set to begin next week.
