Fact Check: "Brad Lander arrested by ICE for allegedly assaulting a federal officer."
What We Know
On June 17, 2025, Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller and a candidate for mayor, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while attempting to escort a migrant out of an immigration court. According to reports, Lander was detained for allegedly "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer" as he questioned the agents about their authority to arrest the individual he was assisting (BBC, NY Times).
Lander was handcuffed after he insisted that the agents show a judicial warrant for the arrest, a request that was reportedly made multiple times during the incident. Videos from the scene show Lander physically standing by the migrant and asserting that the agents did not have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens (NBC News, USA Today). After several hours in custody, he was released without any formal charges being filed against him (NBC News).
Analysis
The claim that Brad Lander was arrested by ICE for assaulting a federal officer is partially true. While Lander was indeed arrested and ICE officials stated that the arrest was due to his alleged assault and obstruction, he has publicly denied these allegations, asserting that he did not assault anyone and was merely advocating for the rights of the migrant he was escorting (BBC, NY Times).
The credibility of the sources reporting on this incident is generally high. Major news outlets like the BBC, NBC News, and the New York Times have covered the event extensively, providing detailed accounts from multiple perspectives, including Lander's own statements and reactions from political figures like New York Attorney General Letitia James, who condemned the arrest as an abuse of power (BBC, NY Times, NBC News).
However, it's important to note that ICE's characterization of Lander's actions as "assaulting law enforcement" may be contested, especially considering the context of the incident where he was advocating for a migrant's rights. The lack of formal charges against Lander further complicates ICE's claims, suggesting that the situation may not be as clear-cut as the agency's statement implies (NBC News, USA Today).
Conclusion
The claim that Brad Lander was arrested by ICE for allegedly assaulting a federal officer is partially true. While he was indeed arrested and ICE cited assault as a reason, Lander has denied these allegations, and no charges were ultimately filed against him. The incident raises significant questions about the conduct of ICE and the implications for civil rights advocacy in immigration contexts.
