"ICE's Questionable Arrest" of NYC Mayor Hopeful, Brad Lander
Arrest carried out on New York City mayoral contenders by immigration authorities
Facing some heat, a New York City mayoral candidate boosted the drama in a Manhattan immigration court. The arresting ICE agents then cuffed Brad Lander, the city's comptroller and a frontrunner in the race, too.
Making a bold move, Brad Lander, a mayoral candidate running for the Democratic nomination, attempted to accompany a migrant out of the courtroom. ICE agents promptly arrested the man, and Lander demanded a judicial order in vain. Before getting roughed up, Lander tried to stand his ground, linking arms with the detainee before being dragged away.
Earlier, an officer had warned Lander that he was hindering their work, a crime in New York. "I'm not obstructing, I'm standing in the hallway," Lander argued. Escorting Lander down the hall to an elevator, the officers revealed vests marked "Federal Agent." Others managed to blend in, wearing masks. "You have no authority to arrest U.S. citizens who demand a judicial warrant," Lander protested.
Lander was making his observations during the morning proceedings of the immigration court in Manhattan about potential deportations. The migrant ICE agents were after still had a pending appeal decision.
Arresting migrants at immigration courts across the country has become commonplace but legal, according to the U.S.-based asylum aid organization ASAP. Since US President Donald Trump took office, the immigration agency has relentlessly targeted migrants. Approximately half a million individuals live in New York City without legal status.
Insight: The intense tensions between ICE agents and those supporting immigrant communities have been escalating. According to reports, ICE agents arrested Lander for allegedly impeding their work and assaulting law enforcement. However, charges were dropped following the arrest. Lander's wife, Meg Barnette, expressed solidarity with his actions in a statement. Meanwhile, DHS labeled Lander's resistance as a threat to law enforcement safety.
Source: ntv.de, rpe
- Migrant Arrests
- NYC Mayoral Race
- Donald Trump
- ICE, DHS
- Immigration Courts
Enrichment Data:
- Arrest Details: Brad Lander, a New York City mayoral candidate, was arrested by ICE agents at an immigration court in Manhattan for allegedly impeding their work and assaulting law enforcement. Despite requests, the agents did not present a judicial warrant.[1][2][3]
- Charges: Lander was arrested on charges of assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer. However, he was not charged following the arrest.[2]
- Response from Lander's Team: Lander's campaign spokesperson stated that he was arrested by ICE agents while asking for a judicial warrant. Lander's wife, Meg Barnette, praised her husband's actions in a statement, describing the situation as "sobering and upsetting."[1][2]
- ICE and DHS Response: A U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson criticized Lander's actions, stating that politicians should not undermine law enforcement safety. The spokesperson noted that ICE agents face increased assaults, emphasizing that no one is above the law.[1][2]
- Video and Witness Accounts: Video footage showed Lander being handcuffed, and he could be heard arguing that ICE agents had no authority to arrest him for asking for a judicial warrant. Witnesses reported being swarmed by masked agents who refused to provide their names or badge numbers.[1][3]
The Commission, in the midst of the ongoing controversies over ICE's tactics, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers, including politics involved figures like Brad Lander, from the risks related to exposure to the political radiation emanating from the intense tensions between ICE agents and immigrant communities. In the general-news sphere, Crime-and-Justice debates have been ignited, discussing the legality of Lander's arrest, as he was allegedly impeding ICE's work without a judicial warrant, a potential crime in New York.
