He Asked for a Warrant—Then ICE Arrested Him: How Brad Lander Turned Justice Into a Viral Moment

In a tense showdown just before New York City’s primary, Comptroller and mayor candidate Brad Lander was detained by masked ICE agents inside a federal immigration courtroom as he escorted an immigrant named Edgardo out of a hearing. His arrest—and swift release—has ignited serious concerns about due process, political timing, and immigrant rights.

Who Is Brad Lander—and Why He Was There

Brad Lander, NYC’s comptroller and a top Democratic candidate in the upcoming mayoral primary, has spent weeks observing immigration court hearings. His goal? To support immigrants who he said lack legal counsel and face arrest as soon as they leave court. It was Lander’s third time escorting immigrants—a peaceful practice meant to ease their fear of detention

What Led to His Arrest

On June 17, Lander walked out of the courtroom with Edgardo, whose hearing was just finished. When ICE agents moved in to detain Edgardo, Lander stepped in—arm-in-arm—quietly demanding they show a judicial arrest warrant. Video shows ICE agents shoving Lander, slamming them both against the wall, and dragging him away in handcuffs

ICE’s Stance vs. Lander’s Defense

ICE and DHS called him out for assaulting and impeding officers, claiming law enforcement was endangered. DHS highlighted a reported 413% jump in attacks on agents, saying no one is above the law

But Lander said he never touched agents—he only held onto Edgardo to ask for a valid court warrant. He told reporters:

“I did not assault an officer. I’m standing right here… I asked to see a judicial warrant.

Why Timing Makes This a Political Flashpoint

This took place just one week before the NYC Democratic primary, where Lander is a frontrunner. He says his presence in courtrooms is his way of defending democracy and immigrant rights amid aggressive immigration raids by the Trump administration

His arrest echoes a disturbing pattern: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Senator Alex Padilla have also been detained in recent weeks while challenging federal deportation tactics Widespread Backlash and Support

• Gov. Kathy Hochul personally went to release Lander, calling the arrest “bullshit” and un-American

• Other Democrats—like AOC and Andrew Cuomo—condemned the move, calling it political intimidation .

• Activists and immigrant advocates say arrests like this discourage immigrants from seeking legal help and undermine due process rights

Bigger Picture: Democracy and ICE Tactics

Lander warned this makes hiring legal representation feel dangerous. He said:

“Edgardo doesn’t have a lawyer… the rule of law is not fine, and our democracy is not fine.”

ROOT ISSUE: ICE is now arresting people right after courtroom hearings. Critics say this destroys trust in the justice system, forcing immigrants to avoid public processes

What Happens Next

1. The Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office is reviewing whether Lander faces federal charges for refusing to break away

2. Lander said he’ll keep escorting immigrants, positioning himself as their protector, and drawing sharp contrast in the mayor’s race.

3. National attention is now on courthouse arrests, and lawmakers may move to limit ICE’s authority in court settings.