NYC Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested by ICE agents at a federal courthouse after intervening in an immigration case—an incident that has ignited outrage and upended the city’s mayoral race just days before the primary.
At a Glance
- Lander was detained at 26 Federal Plaza while assisting a defendant leaving immigration court
- ICE claims he impeded officers after demanding a judicial warrant and linking arms with the defendant
- His wife alleges agents shoved her and forcibly subdued Lander
- The Democratic mayoral primary is scheduled for June 24
- Prominent politicians have denounced the arrest as politically motivated intimidation
Arrest at Federal Plaza Sparks Political Firestorm
New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by masked ICE agents at Manhattan’s federal immigration court on June 17, prompting bipartisan backlash and accusations of political repression. The incident occurred after Lander attempted to accompany an individual whose immigration case had just been dismissed.
According to reports, Lander asked agents to present a judicial warrant and then linked arms with the person as agents moved to detain him. DHS later stated that Lander “obstructed and assaulted federal officers,” charges the comptroller denies. Witnesses, including Lander’s wife Meg Barnette, described the arrest as violent and unprovoked.
Election Shockwaves and Legal Uncertainty
The incident comes one week before New York’s critical Democratic primary, where Lander is one of the leading candidates. His arrest has galvanized progressive support and triggered condemnation from across the political spectrum. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called the arrest “fascistic,” while Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James have labeled it a dangerous precedent for federal overreach.
Watch a report: NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander handcuffed by ICE.
ICE Defends Actions, Critics See Intimidation
A DHS spokesperson said that no one is above the law, asserting that Lander crossed a legal boundary by physically interfering with federal officers. However, critics argue this fits a broader pattern of escalated ICE enforcement under the Trump administration. Just weeks ago, Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from an immigrant rights event in Los Angeles, raising further concerns about politicized immigration tactics.
The arrest also echoes mounting concerns over ICE activity in and around courthouses, which immigration advocates argue erodes due process and intimidates vulnerable populations. NY Mag reported that agents waited until the court hearing ended before moving in, suggesting coordinated timing meant to avoid legal scrutiny.
Whether the charges will hold remains uncertain, but the arrest’s political reverberations are already being felt. With early voting underway, this unprecedented moment could either derail Lander’s campaign—or elevate it.
