City Comptroller Arrest Sparks Controversy at Immigration Court

City Comptroller Brad Lander was detained by masked federal agents while attending immigration hearings in Lower Manhattan. Lander, who is also running for mayor, visited 26 Federal Plaza on June 17 to observe deportation cases. The arrest occurred as Lander, alongside his team, escorted an immigrant temporarily released due to a case dismissal. As ICE, FBI, and Treasury agents intervened to detain the immigrant, they moved to separate Lander.

In a tense moment, Lander demanded to see identification and a judicial warrant, repeating his request multiple times. An officer instructed, “Take him in,” resulting in Lander being pinned against a wall and handcuffed. Defending his actions, Lander insisted on his rights as a U.S. citizen and questioned the authority of the arresting officers. The destination of his detainment remains undisclosed, with sources hinting he might be released with a summons.

Dora Pekec, Lander’s spokesperson, stated, “While escorting a defendant out of immigration court, Brad Lander was detained by ICE agents in disguise.” The situation is under close scrutiny, while Lander remains accompanied by his NYPD detail and legal team. Lander’s wife, Meg Barnette, expressed faith in his safety, emphasizing the struggles faced by families at risk of separation due to such arrests.

Currently a Democratic mayoral candidate, Lander chose not to seek re-election as comptroller, with early voting for the party’s nomination underway. Fellow Democrats, including Brooklyn City Council Member Justin Brannan and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, have criticized the arrest. Brannan condemned what he viewed as “Trump’s ICE cowboy gestapo” tactics, accusing them of undermining due process and fostering fear. Echoing these views, Levine called for Lander’s immediate release, describing the situation as a move towards authoritarianism.

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