NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Arrested by ICE, Speaks Out on Due Process

Arrest and Release of Brad Lander

• 🚨 NYC Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested by ICE officers at an immigration courthouse while volunteering with Immigrant Ark.
• 🤝 He was released after charges were dropped, but he emphasizes his own due process rights are not the main concern.
• 😔 Lander highlights the plight of individuals like Edgardo, who was detained without a lawyer and stripped of due process rights.

Concerns Over Immigration Practices

• ⚖️ Lander criticizes the government and judges for stripping individuals of due process and credible fear hearings before deportation.
• 💔 He shares experiences of accompanying families and witnessing the emotional toll of potential separation and detention.
• 🚫 The normalization of family separation and due process violations is a major concern, undermining constitutional democracy.

New York's Identity and Values

• 🗽 New York is characterized as a land of immigrants, proud of its diverse population and welcoming traditions.
• ✊ Lander asserts that New York will not allow its values to be undermined by policies that deny due process or violate international law.
• 🗣️ He calls for elected officials to stand up for immigrant New Yorkers and uphold the city's sanctuary status.

Political Context and Mayoral Candidacy

• 🏃 Lander, a mayoral candidate, contrasts his stance with that of other politicians, criticizing those who he believes have not adequately supported immigrant communities.
• 📢 He frames his actions as a commitment to the traditions of the city and a defense of immigrant rights.
• ❓ Lander addresses criticisms of his arrest being a political stunt, stating his primary goal was to accompany and support individuals facing detention.

The Importance of Bearing Witness

• 🚶‍♂️ Lander describes his consistent involvement with Immigrant Ark, accompanying families and bearing witness to the immigration process.
• 🤝 He emphasizes the tradition of nonviolent witness and accompaniment as a crucial role for elected officials.
• ✊ The experience of being detained, though unexpected, reinforced his commitment to defending due process and the rights of all New Yorkers.