NYC Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested and later released by federal agents of the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday, June 17. NY Gov. Kathy Hochul joined Lander for a press conference in Manhattan later on Tuesday evening.

 

In a video posted to social media by reporter, Dean Moses, Lander can be seen pinned against a wall and seemingly being placed in cuffs by around three law enforcement agents. Another person, possibly an immigrant, is also seen in the video with Lander, also seemingly being arrested. Officials can be heard saying, “We have a judicial warrant,” while Lander, as he is being escorted by agents through a corridor, can be heard saying, “Show me the judicial warrant. Where is it?”

Different ICE officials can then be heard saying, “Back up! Let’s not have any problems. Sir, I have it in my hand,” and appearing frustrated, Lander replies, “Where is it? I’d like to see the warrant. I would like to see the warrant and then I will let go. I’d like to see the warrant and then I will let go. You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens.”

 

Lander is later heard saying, “I’m not obstructing. I’m standing right here in he hallway. I have to see the judicial warrant. You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant.”

One person can then be heard saying, “No way you’re arresting… Where are you taking him? Hello..” Reporters (possibly) are then heard asking, “Why are you arresting the City Comptroller and where are you taking him?” Lander is then seen being placed in an elevator.

 

On Tuesday evening, in various videos posted to social media including Hell Gate, Lander, flanked by Hochul and others, said, “I’m happy to report I’m just fine. I lost a button. But I’m gonna sleep in my bed tonight, safe, with my family… At that elevator, I was separated from someone named Edgardo… Edgardo is in ICE detention and he’s not going to sleep in his bed tonight.”

 

When he was asked by a reporter for his reaction to the fact that five mayoral candidates came out in his defense and called for his release almost immediately after his arrest. Lander asked, “Was one of them Andrew Cuomo?” The reporter responded, “It was not. I wasn’t going to say that.” Laughing, Lander said, “Imagine that!”

 

Lander continued in part, “Look, I mean. This is a critical time to have a mayor that will stand up to ICE and stand up to Donald Trump and insist on due process and the laws of this city. This is a Sanctuary City. I was proud to cosponsor those laws and I’m going to show up and defend them. Partly why I’m running for mayor is that New Yorkers deserve better than a mayor like Eric Adams who sold New Yorkers our in a deal for his own pardon with Donald Trump.”

The comptroller continued, “And New Yorkers deserve better in a mayor than Andrew Cuomo who on a debate stage last week, when I asked him, ‘Why did you deny those immigrant subway cleaners who risked their lives during COVID the prevailing wage and the healthcare they deserve, all he could think about was un hey.. and  I couldn’t believe that he called them ‘illegal’ and you could tell in his head all he was worried about was whether it would reflect badly on him, and what New Yorkers are deciding right now is will we have a mayor who stands up for the traditions of this City, who protects immigrant New Yorkers and who protects all New Yorkers. I am really grateful to the other mayoral candidates who came out her to call for my release, to stand up for those traditions and and I really hope New Yorkers will elect one of us.”

 

We reached out to ICE for comment on Lander’s arrest and the reason for the arrest of the person for whom Lander had requested to see the arrest warrant. We will share any updates we receive.

The New York Working Families Party earlier issued the following statement about the incident saying ICE “have been terrorizing immigration courthouses in New York City and across the country for weeks.”

 

“Brad Lander’s arrest by ICE is a continuation of the unlawful attacks on immigrants, elected officials, judges, and protesters,” a NYWFP spokesperson wrote. “This escalation is the seed of authoritarianism being sown, and we must uproot it now. We demand the Comptroller’s immediate release.”

 

The spokesperson continued, “Masked ICE agents are terrorizing immigrant New Yorkers, kidnapping our neighbors, and disappearing them. These are people who are meeting their obligations to the legal immigration system and showing up to scheduled hearings only to be ripped from their families.”

The statement concluded, “Comptroller Brad Lander has spent the last few weeks escorting people in and out of immigration court to keep them safe from ICE. At this moment, we can choose courage or compliance. Brad is showing our City what it means to have the courage, solidarity, and moral clarity to stand up to ICE and protect our communities. ICE out of New York City, period.”

 

During a campaign event in Norwood, The Bronx, on Monday evening, June 16, Lander spoke about his decision to show up at the federal courthouse in recent weeks in efforts to provide assistance, where possible, to detained immigrants. More to follow.

 

Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) later gave his reaction to the incident, saying, “The arrest of the NYC Comptroller is an outrageous abuse of power and a dangerous obstruction of justice. This is not just an attack on one of our city’s elected leaders; this is an attack on all New Yorkers who believe in due process and the fundamental rights of immigrant communities.”

He added, “For federal agents to forcibly arrest and detain an elected official simply escorting an immigrant New Yorker out of court is a deliberate attempt to intimidate, silence, and criminalize those who seek to stand up and protect our immigrant neighbors. At a time when immigrant New Yorkers are being kidnapped in broad daylight from our communities and our neighborhoods, this kind of intimidation only deepens fear and uncertainty. We demand immediate answers and accountability from the federal government. New York City will continue to be a beacon of opportunity, hope, and a place that stands up for immigrant communities.”

 

Some elected officials, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, as well as the NYS Nurses Association have been sharing their reaction to the arrest. Their statements are attached.

 

Read our recent story here about Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)’s recent efforts to gain access to a federal courthouse floor to check on the welfare of immigrants amid reports that they were being detained in poor conditions.

Meanwhile, as reported, an NYC immigration judge reinstated Marble Hill Student “Dylan’s” wrongfully dismissed asylum case on Friday, June 13.