New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested on Tuesday at a federal immigration court, prompting two members of the state’s congressional delegation to demand oversight access to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office located inside the building.
Democratic Representatives Dan Goldman and Jerry Nadler voiced their outrage after being denied entry during an oversight visit on Wednesday.
Goldman and Nadler stated they had observed two court proceedings at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan before attempting to gain access to the ICE office, which they were informed was not classified as a ‘detention facility.’
Goldman emphasized that, according to statute, they are permitted to enter unannounced and must be granted access, yet their advance notice was disregarded.
“This is ridiculous. If people are detained there, it’s a detention center. Under these statutes, we have an absolute right, under Section 527, to inspect detention centers — a right that was denied to us,” Nadler added.
Goldman expressed concerns regarding the conditions inside the ICE office and reports indicating that immigrants were being detained overnight on benches or the floor.
“These are non-violent, non-criminal immigrants going through the proper process,” he stated, criticizing what he termed ‘deceptive removals’ happening swiftly.
He further called the situation unacceptable and indicated their commitment to continue pressing for access, accusing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of violating the law.
Goldman asked, “Why can’t we go in? What are they hiding?” He noted the treatment of individuals under ICE custody, including Lander and other public officials, felt reminiscent of a police state.
Nadler expressed alarm concerning the presence of mask-wearing ICE and FBI agents in the hallways, raising further questions about transparency.
“Why are they wearing masks and remaining unidentified?” Nadler asked, suggesting their actions hint at potential misconduct.
Goldman, who serves on the Homeland Security Committee, announced intentions to seek support from his Republican colleagues to direct DHS to allow congressional access. Nadler hinted at potential legal action if their demands were not met.
The arrest of Brad Lander has drawn significant attention. Video footage captured the incident, showing Lander intervening to protect a man named Edgardo, following an immigration hearing.
In the video, Lander asserts, “You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens,” amidst confrontation with ICE agents.
According to the DHS, Lander was arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer, but he was released within hours.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, present during Lander’s release, confirmed that all charges had been dropped.
Lander has since contested the DHS statement and clarified that he was volunteering with an immigration organization. He recounted his attempt to accompany Edgardo out of the courthouse after his case dismissal, in light of the attendant risks of deportation.
“I feel very fortunate to have been able to go home and sleep in my bed and be with my family,” Lander reflected later, asserting his innocence regarding the allegations of assault.
He also attributed his arrest to politically motivated actions stemming from the Trump administration, which he claims is intent on creating fear within immigrant communities.
“Donald Trump is working to strike fear into immigrant families and communities, and then provoke conflict,” Lander remarked.
The political implications of Lander’s arrest have incited varied responses from other public officials. Fellow mayoral candidates like Andrew Cuomo and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani have rallied in support, highlighting the unusual nature of the incident.
Lawyer Kaivan Shroff commented on Lander’s swift release, suggesting it was indicative of improper conduct in his arrest by ICE.
“It’s highly unusual and quite concerning, and I think the best evidence of that is that all charges were dropped and he was released within hours,” Shroff noted, further elucidating legal boundaries regarding ICE’s authority in detaining U.S. citizens.
The Southern District Court of New York has also opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lander’s arrest.
Immigration attorneys point out that, legally, ICE agents do not necessarily require a warrant for apprehending noncitizens within immigration courts. However, Shroff differentiated between an administrative warrant and a judicial warrant, noting that in New York, the latter is needed to detain undocumented individuals in a courthouse setting.
While inquiries made to ICE regarding the reasons for Lander’s arrest have gone unanswered, the controversies surrounding both the arrest and the subsequent denial of congressional oversight access continue to prompt significant dialogue about immigrant rights and civil liberties.
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