Brad Lander arrested by DHS after ICE protest, released hours later as officials and activists denounce the incident.

NYC Comptroller Detained Amid Courthouse Immigration Protest

New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by Department of Homeland Security agents on Tuesday after a confrontation involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at 26 Federal Plaza. The incident took place as Lander, a prominent voice in city politics, questioned ICE agents about the judicial authority behind their actions.

Lander was seen in video footage clinging to ICE agents as they escorted a defendant out of immigration court, repeatedly demanding to see a judicial warrant. “I will let go when you show me the judicial warrant! Where is it?!” he insisted during the altercation. Federal officials alleged that Lander assaulted a federal officer during the encounter, leading to his arrest and detention at a federal courthouse in Manhattan.

Hours later, Lander was released and appeared outside the courthouse with New York Governor Kathy Hochul. At a press conference, Governor Hochul announced that charges had been dropped, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said it was continuing to investigate Lander’s actions. Nick Biase, chief of public affairs for the office, reaffirmed the commitment to prosecuting violations of federal law and protecting the safety of public officials and law enforcement.

Public Backlash and Political Response

The arrest triggered swift backlash from public officials and civil rights advocates. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security criticized politicians for “undermining law enforcement safety,” citing a sharp increase in assaults against ICE officers. “No one is above the law, and if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequences,” the spokesperson said.

The New York Civil Liberties Union’s Executive Director Donna Lieberman called the arrest an abuse of power and a threat to democracy. “Arresting a public official… for asking questions is dangerous intimidation and shows a wanton disregard for the will of the people of New York,” Lieberman stated, urging all elected officials to condemn the action and defend the right to challenge government conduct.

New York Attorney General Letitia James also denounced the arrest, describing Lander’s actions as “standing up for immigrants.” She called the incident a “shocking abuse of power” and warned that targeting officials for their advocacy undermines community safety.

Other prominent voices, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo and several mayoral candidates, expressed concern and demanded Lander’s immediate release. Cuomo characterized the episode as further evidence of what he called “extreme thuggery” by immigration authorities, arguing that such incidents instill fear in families and disrupt community trust. Mayoral candidates Scott Stringer and Zohran Kwame Mamdani called the arrest “fascism” and called on New Yorkers to oppose the action.

The high-profile arrest of Lander follows recent tensions over federal immigration enforcement in the region, including the recent dropping of charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka related to a separate ICE facility protest. As the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues its investigation, the case has ignited debate over civil rights, law enforcement authority, and the responsibilities of public officials in New York City.