Fact Check: Brad Lander arrested by ICE while defending immigrants in court.

Fact Check: Brad Lander Arrested by ICE While Defending Immigrants in Court

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 at an immigration courthouse in Manhattan. Lander was present to support immigrants during their court proceedings and attempted to escort a migrant who was being detained by ICE agents. According to reports, he linked arms with the migrant and refused to let go, demanding to see a judicial warrant for the arrest (New York Times, AP News).

Lander was subsequently handcuffed and taken into custody. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security claimed that he was arrested for "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer," although no immediate charges were filed against him (CNN, Reuters). He was released a few hours later (PBS).

Analysis

The incident involving Lander has been widely reported across various reputable news outlets, including The New York Times, AP News, and CNN. These sources provide consistent accounts of the events leading to Lander's arrest, including his actions and the response from ICE agents.

The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. However, it is important to note that the framing of the incident may vary slightly depending on the outlet. For instance, some reports emphasize the political implications of Lander's actions, particularly in the context of his mayoral campaign and the broader Democratic response to immigration enforcement under the Trump administration (Time, The City).

Critics of Lander's actions, including some political opponents, have characterized his behavior as "performative nonsense" (AP News). This highlights a potential bias in how different political factions interpret the event. Nevertheless, the core facts of the arrest are corroborated across multiple sources, indicating a consensus on the basic details.

Conclusion

The claim that Brad Lander was arrested by ICE while defending immigrants in court is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Lander was indeed arrested during an attempt to assist a migrant facing detention. His actions, while politically charged, were consistent with his stated commitment to supporting immigrant rights, and the incident has sparked significant public and political discourse surrounding immigration enforcement practices.

Fact Check: Brad Lander arrested by ICE while defending immigrants in court.