NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Arrested Outside Immigration Court/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by federal agents outside a Manhattan immigration courtroom. Lander had been observing proceedings and tried to accompany an immigrant, prompting agents to charge him with obstruction. The arrest occurred amid widespread enforcement of large-scale immigration arrests at similar court locations.
Lander Arrest at Immigration Court — Quick Facts
- Who: NYC Comptroller and 2025 Democratic mayoral contender Brad Lander
- What: Arrested by federal agents for allegedly obstructing justice
- Where: Federal immigration courthouse in Manhattan
- Why: Attempted to “accompany” an immigrant after a hearing
- Context: Part of nationwide enforcement of immigration arrests at courthouses
- Next: Lander and the immigrant were taken into custody; legal status unclear
- Timing: Occurred while early voting is underway in the NYC Democratic primary
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Arrested Outside Immigration Court
Quick Looks
NEW YORK CITY (June 17, 2025) — New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral hopeful Brad Lander was arrested by federal immigration agents on Tuesday outside a Manhattan courtroom. A reporter from The Associated Press witnessed the incident firsthand.
Lander had spent the morning in the immigration court aiming to support immigrants exiting proceedings. As he walked alongside an immigrant, federal agents suddenly intervened.
One officer accused Lander of obstruction:
Agent: “You’re obstructing.”
Lander (as he was handcuffed): “I’m not obstructing, I’m standing right here in the hallway.”
Lander later said: “You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant.”
The officers included plainclothes agents and a tactical-unit officer labeled “federal agent.” Both Lander and the accompanying immigrant were arrested on-site and taken away—reportedly into secured federal custody.
The storyline unfolds amid heightened national immigration enforcement, with federal authorities conducting sweeping arrests outside immigration courts across the U.S.
Lander is a major figure in the ongoing Democratic mayoral primary, with early voting already in progress. It remains unclear what specific charges—if any—will be officially filed.
Requests for comment to the FBI and ICE were not immediately answered.
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