Fact Check: Lander detained by ICE agents during a court escort

Fact Check: Lander Detained by ICE Agents During a Court Escort

What We Know

On June 17, 2025, Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller and a candidate for mayor, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at an immigration courthouse in Lower Manhattan. Lander was present to observe proceedings and attempted to escort a migrant, identified as Edgardo, whom ICE agents were seeking to arrest. Videos from the incident show Lander confronting the agents, demanding to see a judicial warrant for the arrest, and asserting that they did not have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens (New York Times, BBC, USA Today).

ICE later claimed that Lander was arrested for "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer" (Reuters, Washington Post). However, Lander denied these allegations, stating he did not assault anyone and was simply trying to advocate for the migrant's rights (CBS News, The City).

Lander was held for several hours before being released, and no formal charges were filed against him (CNN).

Analysis

The incident involving Brad Lander has been widely reported across multiple reputable news outlets, including the New York Times, BBC, and Reuters. The consistency of the reports indicates a high level of reliability in the coverage.

Lander's actions, as described in the reports, align with his role as an elected official advocating for immigrant rights. His confrontation with ICE agents raises questions about the legality and appropriateness of the agents' actions in a public courthouse, where they are not required to have a judicial warrant to make arrests (New York Times).

Critics of the arrest, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and the New York Civil Liberties Union, have condemned the actions of ICE as an abuse of power, suggesting that the arrest was politically motivated and aimed at intimidating those who advocate for immigrant rights (USA Today, BBC).

While ICE's spokesperson claimed that Lander's actions undermined law enforcement safety, the context of the incident and the lack of formal charges against him suggest that the situation was more complex than a straightforward case of obstruction or assault (Reuters, Washington Post).

Conclusion

The claim that Brad Lander was detained by ICE agents during a court escort is True. Multiple credible sources confirm that Lander was arrested while attempting to assist a migrant at an immigration courthouse. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the rights of individuals in such legal settings. Lander's actions, while controversial, were consistent with his role as an advocate for immigrant rights, and the lack of formal charges against him further supports the conclusion that the arrest was unwarranted.