Fact Check: "ICE arrests NYC Comptroller Brad Lander for simply asking to see a warrant!"
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 Lower Manhattan. Lander was attempting to escort a migrant, Edgardo, whom ICE agents were seeking to arrest. During the incident, Lander repeatedly asked the agents if they had a judicial warrant for the arrest, stating, “I will let go when you show me the judicial warrant” (New York Times, Washington Post).
Lander's actions led to a confrontation where he was accused of assaulting and impeding a federal officer, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (New York Times). However, as of the time of reporting, he had not been formally charged with any crime (BBC). The agents involved did not require a judicial warrant to make the arrest, as immigration courts are considered public spaces (New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that Lander was arrested "for simply asking to see a warrant" is an oversimplification of the events. While it is true that Lander was asking for a warrant, the circumstances surrounding his arrest involved more than just this request. Lander was actively trying to prevent the arrest by physically linking himself to the migrant, which led to the ICE agents forcibly separating him from the individual (Washington Post, Democracy Docket).
The assertion that he was arrested solely for asking about a warrant ignores the context of his actions, which were interpreted by the agents as obstructive. The Department of Homeland Security characterized his behavior as assaulting and impeding law enforcement, suggesting that his physical resistance played a significant role in the arrest (New York Times, Washington Post).
Furthermore, the reliability of the sources reporting on this incident varies. Major news outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post provide detailed accounts and context, making them credible sources for understanding the incident. In contrast, less established platforms may lack the same level of scrutiny and fact-checking, which can lead to misinterpretations of the events (BBC, Democracy Docket).
Conclusion
The claim that "ICE arrests NYC Comptroller Brad Lander for simply asking to see a warrant" is Partially True. While Lander did ask for a warrant, his arrest was not solely due to this request; it was also a result of his physical actions that were deemed obstructive by law enforcement. Therefore, the statement simplifies a complex situation that involved both Lander's inquiries and his attempts to physically intervene in the arrest of the migrant.
