NYC Mayoral Candidate Brad Lander Arrested at Immigration Court, Charges Dropped

Arrest at Federal Courthouse

• 📌 New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by ICE agents at the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan.
• ⛓️ Lander was detained while observing immigration hearings and attempting to link arms with an immigrant facing removal.
• ⏱️ He was released after 4 hours, with Governor Hokll stating that any charges were dropped.

Lander's Stated Motivation

• 💡 Lander stated his intention was to bear witness and accompany individuals in the tradition of nonviolent protest.
• 📢 He has been attending the federal building for three consecutive weeks due to reports of migrants being detained immediately after scheduled hearings.
• 💔 He expressed concern for an individual named Edgardo, who was detained without a lawyer.

Official Statements and Investigation

• 🏛️ The Department of Homeland Security stated Lander was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer.
• 💬 A spokesperson for Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of all New Yorkers feeling safe to use public resources, regardless of documentation status.
• ⚖️ The US Attorney's Office confirmed that the incident is still under investigation.
• ✊ Lander indicated his intention to continue attending the federal building.