NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Arrested by ICE Agents at Immigration Court

Arrest of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander

• 🚨 Brad Lander, NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate, was arrested by federal agents, reportedly ICE, at immigration court.
• 📸 Video footage shows Lander being grabbed, with one agent appearing to put a hand around his neck, as he was being taken into custody.
• ❓ Lander was present to observe immigration hearings and repeatedly asked for a judicial warrant, stating agents did not have the authority to arrest US citizens.

ICE Tactics and Quotas

• ⚠️ The arrest is highlighted as an example of aggressive ICE tactics, including the use of masked agents and unmarked vehicles, raising concerns about impersonation and safety.
• 🎯 Agents are described as being under pressure to meet deportation quotas, allegedly driven by figures like Stephen Miller, leading to the apprehension of individuals attending hearings.
• ⚖️ The transcript suggests a pattern where immigration judges are instructed to dismiss cases, allowing ICE to apprehend individuals immediately after their hearings, before they can appeal.

Systemic Issues in Immigration Courts

• 📉 ICE is reportedly struggling to meet deportation quotas, leading to a "honeypot" strategy at courthouses to artificially inflate numbers and discourage immigrants from attending hearings.
• 📈 Detentions for "other immigrant violators" have increased significantly, far outpacing detentions for convicted criminals or those with pending charges.
• 🚫 The immigration court system is criticized for favoring prosecution, with a lack of impartiality from judges, exemplified by a past instance of an immigration judge posting white nationalist content.

Political Context and Lander's Custody

• 🗳️ Lander's arrest occurred shortly after Nassau County banned masks, a measure discussed in the context of a recent assassination by someone impersonating law enforcement.
• 📰 Lander's wife, Me Barnett, is providing updates via Twitter, confirming his detention by ICE at 26 Federal Plaza.
• 🗓️ The speaker mentions ranking Lander second in a mayoral candidate list, noting that Lander was still in federal custody as of the report.