© Kevin R. Wexler / NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK + © Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(New York, NY) – New York City Comptroller Brad Lander — who is also running for mayor in the Democratic primary — was arrested on Tuesday. Federal authorities accuse Lander of disrupting an immigration proceeding at 26 Federal Plaza, in Lower Manhattan. Lander had been there observing immigration hearings ahead of potential deportations, something he has done several other times.
As immigration agents went to arrest a detainee — ahead of possible deportation — Lander demanded to see the ICE warrants, as well as the officers badges. That’s when he was whisked away and put under arrest, all while he pleaded and demanded to see documentation. A recording of the incident was shared by someone in Lander’s office — and a woman can be heard saying “that’s the comptroller.”
This continues ongoing unrest and alleged misconduct as tied to the ongoing immigration law crackdown. In so-called sanctuary states and cities, local authorities often look the other way when it comes to immigration law — and Democrats support that. US Senator Alex Padilla of California was briefly detained after disrupting a hearing held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem earlier this month. And ongoing demonstrations — often devolving into riots — have occurred in Los Angeles.
