New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral hopeful Brad Lander was arrested Tuesday morning by federal agents — not during a protest, but inside a federal immigration court.
Lander had been observing hearings in a Manhattan federal building when he linked arms with a man U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were trying to detain. Video shows him resisting agents’ attempts to separate the two for nearly a minute.
“You’re obstructing,” one agent said.
“I’m not obstructing. I’m standing right here in the hallway,” Lander replied as he was handcuffed. Lander told reporters he was there to accompany immigrants leaving court, but his stance literally placed him in direct conflict with federal authorities.
The other man was also arrested.
The moment has already drawn national attention, especially in immigrant communities and among progressive circles where Lander has strong support.
Either way, it’s a flashpoint in a heated mayoral race and a reflection of the deeper clash over immigration enforcement.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
