New York City mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested at immigration court
a year ago
- #politics
- #arrest
- #immigration
- Brad Lander, NYC comptroller and mayoral candidate, was arrested by masked federal agents while accompanying an immigrant out of an immigration court.
- Lander was charged with assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
- Lander questioned the legality of the arrest, asking for a judicial warrant, but was pinned to a wall and handcuffed.
- Immigration lawyers clarified that judicial warrants are not required for arrests in public immigration courts.
- Lander's wife and supporters condemned the arrest, calling it an abuse of power and an attack on immigrant rights.
- The incident sparked protests outside 26 Federal Plaza, with demonstrators demanding Lander's release.
- The arrest occurred amid a significant increase in ICE arrests of immigrants without criminal records.
- Critics compared Lander's arrest to that of California Senator Alex Padilla, who was similarly detained for questioning ICE policies.
- The arrest happened just a week before the Democratic primary for NYC mayor, where Lander is a candidate.