Fact Check: ICE arrests city comptroller while he escorted an immigrant to court.

Fact Check: "ICE arrests city comptroller while he escorted an immigrant to 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 reportedly attempting to escort an immigrant, identified as Edgardo, out of the courthouse when federal agents approached to detain him. Lander claimed he was merely trying to assist Edgardo, who was at risk of being arrested, and stated that he did not assault any officers during the incident (New York Times, BBC). Video footage from the scene shows Lander holding onto Edgardo and protesting the arrest, asking agents to show a judicial warrant (NPR).

ICE officials, however, accused Lander of obstructing their operations and assaulting law enforcement officers, stating that anyone who interferes with their arrest operations would face consequences (The City). Following his arrest, Lander was released without charges, and the U.S. attorney's office was reported to be reviewing the incident (BBC).

Analysis

The claim that ICE arrested Brad Lander while he was escorting an immigrant to court is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. The incident has been widely reported, with consistent details across various news outlets. The New York Times highlighted the broader context of volunteer escorts in immigration courts, noting a surge in such activities due to fears of ICE arrests following court hearings (New York Times).

Lander's actions were framed within a growing movement of activists and volunteers who accompany immigrants to ensure their safety in light of increased ICE presence in courthouses (NPR). The credibility of the sources reporting on this incident is high, as they include established media organizations like the New York Times, BBC, and NPR, which are known for their journalistic standards.

Critics of the arrest, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and the New York Civil Liberties Union, condemned the action as an abuse of power and a threat to civil rights, further supporting the narrative that Lander was acting in defense of immigrant rights rather than engaging in unlawful behavior (BBC, NPR).

Conclusion

The claim that ICE arrested city comptroller Brad Lander while he was escorting an immigrant to court is True. The incident is well-documented, with multiple reputable sources confirming the details surrounding Lander's arrest and the context of his actions. The evidence indicates that Lander was indeed attempting to assist an immigrant facing potential detention, which aligns with the accounts provided by various news outlets and statements from Lander himself.

Fact Check: ICE arrests city comptroller while he escorted an immigrant to court.