Fact Check: "Masked ICE Agent Detains Brad Lander, Mayor Candidate in New York"
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 reportedly attempting to escort a migrant, identified as Edgardo, out of the courthouse when he was confronted by ICE agents, some of whom were wearing masks. According to The New York Times, Lander was handcuffed after he refused to let go of the migrant and repeatedly asked the agents for a judicial warrant for the arrest. The Department of Homeland Security later stated that Lander was arrested for assaulting and impeding a federal officer, although he had not been formally charged at the time of his release later that day.
Videos of the incident show Lander standing in the hallway, questioning the authority of the agents and asserting that they could not arrest U.S. citizens without a warrant. Despite his claims, immigration lawyers noted that ICE agents do not require judicial warrants to make arrests in immigration courts, as these are considered public spaces (BBC).
Analysis
The incident involving Brad Lander has generated significant media coverage and public discourse, particularly in the context of the ongoing immigration debate in the United States. The reliability of the sources reporting on this event is generally high, with major news outlets such as The New York Times, BBC, and AP News providing detailed accounts of the situation. These outlets have a history of journalistic integrity and are known for their fact-checking processes.
Lander's actions, as described in the reports, indicate that he was actively trying to assist a migrant facing arrest, which aligns with his political stance on immigration reform and support for sanctuary laws. His assertion that he did not intend to obstruct law enforcement and was merely advocating for the rights of the migrant is supported by statements from his campaign, which emphasized his commitment to protecting immigrants (Reuters).
However, the claims made by the Department of Homeland Security regarding Lander's alleged assault on law enforcement raise questions about the interpretation of his actions. The assertion that he impeded a federal officer is contested by Lander and his supporters, who argue that his actions were within the bounds of advocating for civil rights. The political context is also crucial, as Lander's arrest occurred just days before the Democratic primary for mayor, leading some to speculate about the motivations behind the timing of the incident (CBS News).
Conclusion
The claim that a masked ICE agent detained Brad Lander, a mayoral candidate in New York, is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Lander was indeed arrested by ICE agents while attempting to assist a migrant in an immigration courthouse. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about immigration enforcement practices and the rights of individuals in such settings, highlighting the contentious nature of immigration policy in the current political climate.
Sources
- Brad Lander Is Arrested by ICE Agents at ... - The New York Times
- NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested by ICE - BBC
- Brad Lander, NYC mayoral candidate, arrested at ... - AP News
- NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander released after ... - Reuters
- Brad Lander, New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate, not ... - ABC News
- Brad Lander, NYC comptroller and mayoral candidate, arrested by ICE agents - CBS News
- Brad Lander Detained by Masked Federal Agents and Accused of Assault ... - The City
