New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was detained by immigration agents as he escorted a defendant from court, sparking outrage across social media
Video of the incident Tuesday outside a federal courtroom shows masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents approach, and Lander repeatedly asks them to produce a judicial warrant before they place him in handcuffs, according to video posted online by his wife Meg Barnette.
“While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE,” Barnette wrote. "This is still developing, and our team is monitoring the situation closely."
The incident called to mind the recent detention of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), who was cuffed by and forcibly removed from a news conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles
“If that is what the administration is going to do to a United States senator for having the authority to simply ask a question, imagine what they will do to any American who dares to speak up,” Padilla said Tuesday from the Senate floor.
Some of Lander's rivals and others called out his detention as unlawful and un-American.
"This is fascism and all New Yorkers must speak in one voice," said assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who is also running for mayor. "Release him now."
"He was conducting routine immigration court work, escorting individuals from hearings," added Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). "He asked ICE for their warrant - well within his legal rights. This is political intimidation."
"The Trump Administration went after Brad Lander for asking this simple question: 'Do you have a warrant?' posted Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX). "By asking this question, Brad was standing up for the basic rights of all Americans. Brad should be released immediately, and we should all follow his heroic example."
"This is how you actually do it. Create a schism between the cops and ICE," added Onion CEO Ben Collins. "Who's really in charge? The answer is neither of them. The people and the courts are in charge, so let them figure this out with each other. Secret police are no one's allies."
"Horrifying and disturbing for what it is and what it represents," posted X user Lindsey Boylan. "Fascism."
"This photo of ICE arresting Brad Lander — whose only crime was asking to see a warrant — is ... insane," said Democratic strategist Mike Nellis. "What the hell is happening to this country!?
"Brad Lander just did more to uphold the values of the Constitution than most people who pretend to care about it have ever done," added Aaron Kleinman of The States Project.
