NYC Comptroller Brad Lander's Wife Speaks Out After His Arrest at Immigration Court

Arrest and Witnessing at Immigration Court

• 🎤 Meg Barnette, wife of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, spoke out after he was arrested while participating in court watching at immigration court.
• ⚖️ Barnette, an attorney, stated that the events she witnessed were "shocking and unacceptable" and did not align with the "rule of law" or "due process."
• 🤝 Lander was arrested after linking arms with other volunteers, including rabbis, who were surrounding an individual and requesting a judicial warrant from ICE agents.

Concerns Over Due Process and Translation

• ⚠️ Barnette highlighted that individuals facing deportation are often told their case is dismissed, which means they are subject to immediate removal without full understanding of their rights or appeal processes.
• 🗣️ She noted issues with translation services, including reliance on Zoom and potential lack of translation in individuals' original languages, leading to a misunderstanding of their rights.
• 🤝 Lander's actions are described as standing up for values and being present to witness and help someone, reflecting his character.

Public Officials Condemn Arrest and ICE Practices

• ✊ Public Advocate and Council Member Alexa, chair of the Committee on Immigration, condemned the arrest and the practices at the immigration court.
• 📢 They called for all elected officials and mayoral candidates to condemn the incident and demand Brad Lander's immediate release.
• 🚫 The speakers emphasized that the actions by ICE are immoral and unacceptable, likening them to "kidnapping" and "bamboozling" vulnerable individuals.

Broader Implications and Call to Action

• 🌍 The speakers stressed that the treatment of individuals at the immigration court is not isolated and is happening across the country, including the separation of children from mothers.
• 🗣️ They urged New Yorkers to organize and stand against these practices, stating "Not in our city. We do not want ICE here."
• ✊ The arrest of Brad Lander, a city-wide elected official, is seen as an indicator of how individuals with fewer privileges might be treated.

Personal Reflections and Solidarity

• ❤️ Rabbi Ellen Lipman expressed pride in Brad Lander for his actions and shame as an American/New Yorker due to the events, while also acknowledging the uprising of good New Yorkers.
• 🛡️ She stated that she and others were there to interrupt the horror and put their bodies on the line for those with fewer resources and less English proficiency.
• 📢 The sentiment was that if standing up for people being targeted results in such violence, it is a serious warning, and more people need to step up and organize.