Fact Check: NYC Comptroller Brad Lander speaks out after his arrest at an immigration court

Fact Check: "NYC Comptroller Brad Lander speaks out after his arrest at an immigration court"

What We Know

On June 17, 2025, New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by federal agents at an immigration court in Manhattan. Lander was attempting to assist an immigrant who was being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents when the arrest occurred. According to reports, Lander linked arms with the individual and demanded to see a judicial warrant, which led to a physical confrontation with the agents. Lander was subsequently handcuffed and taken into custody for several hours before being released (AP News) (source-1, source-2).

During the incident, Lander was accused of "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer," according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (NPR) (source-4). However, as of the time of reporting, he had not been formally charged with any crime (BBC) (source-3).

Lander later addressed the media, asserting that he did not assault any officers and that his intention was to support the immigrant, who he claimed did not have legal representation (Reuters) (source-5).

Analysis

The incident involving Brad Lander has been widely reported across multiple reputable news outlets, including the Associated Press, The New York Times, and NPR. These sources provide consistent details about the events leading to Lander's arrest, including his actions in the immigration court and the response from federal agents. The credibility of these sources is generally high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards.

Lander's actions can be interpreted within the context of ongoing tensions between local politicians and federal immigration enforcement, particularly under the Trump administration's policies. His arrest is part of a broader narrative involving Democratic officials challenging ICE's practices, which have been criticized for their impact on immigrant communities (The City) (source-8).

Critics of Lander's actions may argue that his physical intervention could be seen as obstructing law enforcement, while supporters view it as a principled stand against perceived injustices in the immigration system. The lack of formal charges against him at the time of reporting suggests that the legal ramifications of the incident remain uncertain.

Conclusion

The claim that "NYC Comptroller Brad Lander speaks out after his arrest at an immigration court" is True. Lander was indeed arrested while attempting to assist an immigrant at an immigration court, and he subsequently spoke to the media about the incident, denying any wrongdoing and emphasizing his intent to support the individual being detained.

Fact Check: NYC Comptroller Brad Lander speaks out after his arrest at an immigration court