New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by federal agents Tuesday at a Manhattan immigration court after he linked arms with an immigrant whom authorities were trying to detain.
The incident, witnessed by reporters including The Associated Press, unfolded as agents moved to arrest a man exiting a courtroom. Lander locked arms with the immigrant and demanded to see a judicial warrant, leading to a chaotic struggle lasting over 40 seconds as agents attempted to separate them. Eventually, Lander was handcuffed and taken into custody.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated Lander was arrested for “assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer.” However, Lander denied assaulting any officer, saying he only tried to hold the immigrant’s arm in a peaceful act of solidarity.
After a few hours in custody, Lander was released. He left the courthouse holding hands with his wife and accompanied by New York Governor Kathy Hochul amid cheers from supporters. Lander said he plans to return to the court as a form of nonviolent protest against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
“This is about bearing witness and accompanying people who don’t have lawyers and face detention,” Lander told reporters, highlighting his opposition to what he called the “mass detention and deportation programs” targeting immigrants at courthouses nationwide.
Lander’s arrest comes amid a spate of confrontations between federal agents and Democratic politicians opposing aggressive immigration enforcement, including recent arrests of Newark’s mayor and others.
As New York’s Democratic mayoral primary election nears, fellow candidates and political figures have condemned Lander’s arrest as an example of federal overreach. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo called it “extreme thuggery,” while candidate Zohran Mamdani and Governor Hochul offered public support.
The U.S. attorney’s office is reviewing Lander’s case and will decide whether to press charges. A spokesperson reaffirmed their commitment to the safety and security of official proceedings and law enforcement officers.
