On June 13, 2025, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested by ICE agents outside an immigration court in Manhattan. Lander, a prominent Democrat and former mayoral candidate, was reportedly escorting an immigrant after their court hearing when the arrest occurred.
The arrest sparked immediate controversy and protests. Eyewitness accounts suggest Lander was attempting to ensure the individual’s safe passage away from the courthouse when ICE agents intervened, leading to a confrontation and Lander’s subsequent detention.
Supporters of Lander and immigrant rights activists condemned the arrest as politically motivated and an overreach of ICE’s authority. Critics argued that Lander’s actions were within his rights as an elected official and that the arrest aimed to intimidate those who advocate for immigrant rights. The incident intensified the ongoing debate surrounding immigration enforcement policies and the role of local officials in protecting vulnerable communities.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/06/18/rsiw-j18.html