New York, US, Jun 17 (EFE). – New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested Tuesday by immigration agents while visiting an immigration court and escorting a person from a courtroom.
“While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE. This is still developing and we are monitoring the situation closely,” Lander’s campaign spokesperson, Dora Pekec, said in a statement.
In a video shared by Lander’s wife on his X profile, the comptroller attempts to prevent the arrest of a migrant by grabbing his arm while demanding to see the arrest warrant.
Additional footage shows Lander telling immigration officials: “I’m not obstructing. I’m standing right here in the hallway. I asked to see the judicial warrant.”
“You don‘t have the authority to arrest US citizens asking for a judicial warrant,” he added.
In recent weeks, multiple migrants have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents en route to the courtroom.
Lander’s arrest echoes an incident that occurred five days ago in Los Angeles when Senator Alex Padilla (Democrat) interrupted and rebuked Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem during a hearing to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration policy. EFE
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