Brad Lander, a top official in New York City, was taken away in handcuffs from an immigration courthouse in Manhattan on Tuesday, June 17. A video from the scene shows him being pushed up against a wall and handcuffed by men dressed in plain black clothes and masks. Uniformed officers can also be seen standing nearby.
Right before he was taken away, Lander had locked arms with some of his team members and an immigrant who was about to be arrested after a court hearing. It seemed like he was standing in support of the immigrant and trying to stop the arrest. This dramatic moment happened just a few days after a similar situation in Los Angeles, where Senator Alex Padilla was also taken away by police.
Now people are wondering, was Lander actually arrested? So far, that part is still unclear.
Brad Lander has been working as the Comptroller of New York City since 2022. That’s a fancy word for someone who keeps track of the city’s money. He makes sure city agencies spend their money properly and helps manage New York’s overall finances. Basically, he’s like the city’s main accountant and financial watchdog.
Was Brad Lander arrested?
Brad Lander, who works as the comptroller for New York City, was handcuffed and taken away from an immigration courthouse in Manhattan on June 17. A video of the incident shows him being pushed against a wall by men wearing masks and black clothes, while uniformed officers stood nearby. Just moments earlier, Lander had linked arms with some of his staff members and an immigrant who was about to be taken into custody after a court hearing. He was trying to peacefully stand in support of the immigrant.
People were shocked by what happened, especially because something similar had just taken place in Los Angeles a few days earlier when Senator Alex Padilla was also physically removed by officers.
The video also captured Lander speaking calmly but firmly to the officers. He asked to see a legal warrant, saying that he wasn’t doing anything wrong and that they didn’t have the right to arrest him just for standing in the hallway or asking for proof. It’s still not clear if Lander was officially arrested or why exactly he was detained. No public statements have confirmed what charges, if any, were made against him.
Lander’s wife, Meg Barnette, shared more details. She said that earlier that day, a judge had warned Lander for stepping into the courtroom and even threatened to lock the door. After his removal, she said she was heartbroken, not just for her husband but for all the families at the courthouse who live in fear of being torn apart without fair treatment. She described the whole situation as shocking and deeply wrong.
Some politicians, even those who don’t usually agree with Lander, spoke up in support of him. One of them said this isn’t about politics—it’s about basic human rights and dignity. They believe that immigrants shouldn’t be afraid of being arrested just because they show up to check in with authorities. Another public figure added that what happened to Lander is a small example of what many immigrant families go through every day, and that it shouldn’t be considered normal in America.