Federal agents have arrested 11 Democratic officials who tried to enter a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Manhattan.
According to The New York Times, "The officials, including Brad Lander, the city comptroller, and city and state lawmakers, were arrested after they showed up at 26 Federal Plaza and sought to inspect the 10th-floor holding cells, which are operated by ICE and closed to the public. The cells have drawn scrutiny following complaints of unsanitary and overcrowded conditions, leading a federal judge to order ICE to improve the conditions last month."
Lander, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor of New York earlier this year, was also arrested a few months ago while trying to escort a defendant out of federal immigration court. Also arrested was Jumaane Williams, the city's public advocate.
"Officials with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, denied the elected officials access and arrested them shortly after 3:45 p.m., after they sat down on the floor, refused to leave and began to chant after unfurling a banner that read: 'NYers against ICE,'" said the report. "At about the same time, another group of Democratic elected officials was arrested after the officials joined about 40 protesters outside 26 Federal Plaza attempting to block the garage doors typically used by ICE as it moves vans carrying detained immigrants." Williams was among that latter group.
In recent months, Democratic officials have faced arrest multiple times while trying to inspect or protest Trump administration immigration facilities. In one of the most notable incidents, Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested while trying to inspect a privately operated ICE detention facility.
His charges were later dismissed, only for acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba to charge New Jersey Congresswoman La Monica McIver, who was also involved in the incident.
