Fact Check: "Brad Lander was detained for trying to help a man in immigration court."
What We Know
On June 17, 2025, Brad Lander, the New York City Comptroller and a candidate for mayor, was detained by federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while he was attempting to escort a man out of an immigration court in Manhattan. According to reports, Lander was handcuffed after he linked arms with the individual and requested that the ICE agents show a judicial warrant for the arrest (BBC, THE CITY). Lander was reportedly arrested for "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer," a claim made by a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security (NBC News).
Witnesses and video footage from the scene show Lander actively trying to protect the individual being detained by ICE, asserting that the agents did not have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens (PBS). His actions have been characterized by supporters as an act of civil rights advocacy, while ICE has framed it as undermining law enforcement (ABC News).
Analysis
The claim that Brad Lander was detained for trying to help a man in immigration court is supported by multiple credible sources. The incident occurred in a public setting where Lander was visibly attempting to assist an individual facing deportation. His actions, as described in various reports, align with the narrative of him standing up for the rights of immigrants, which has been echoed by political figures and civil rights advocates who condemned his arrest as an abuse of power (THE CITY, PBS).
However, ICE's characterization of the event as Lander "assaulting law enforcement" raises questions about the reliability of their claims, especially given the context of heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The agency's statement appears to reflect a broader narrative of law enforcement being undermined, which may not accurately represent the specifics of Lander's actions (NBC News).
The sources reporting on this incident, including major news outlets like BBC, NBC, and PBS, are generally considered reliable. They provide a balanced view of the event, incorporating perspectives from both Lander's supporters and the federal agents involved. However, the framing of the incident by ICE suggests a potential bias, as it seeks to justify the arrest amidst a politically charged environment.
Conclusion
The claim that "Brad Lander was detained for trying to help a man in immigration court" is True. Evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Lander was indeed detained while attempting to assist an individual facing deportation. His actions were framed as a defense of civil rights, contrasting sharply with the federal narrative that portrayed him as obstructing law enforcement.
Sources
- NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested by ICE
- NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested at immigration court
- Brad Lander Detained by Masked Federal Agents Inside Immigration Court
- New York City Comptroller Brad Lander arrested at an immigration court
- NYC Mayoral Candidate Brad Lander Detained at Immigration Court
- New York City comptroller Brad Lander arrested by federal agents
- Brad Lander, NYC comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate is arrested at immigration court
- Brad Lander, New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate detained by ICE
