NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested while trying to protect migrant

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a candidate for mayor, was arrested by federal agents Tuesday as he accompanied a migrant from an immigration court hearing and raised objections when officers moved in to arrest the man.

“I asked to see the judicial warrant,” Mr. Lander says in a video capturing the moment when he is being handcuffed.

His office said he was being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

An Associated Press reporter on the scene said an agent told Mr. Lander he was obstructing, and the comptroller can be heard denying that, saying he was seeking to see a warrant.

“You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant,” he said.

As agents took Mr. Lander away, those with him can be heard asking where he was being taken.

The AP said Mr. Lander was on hand at the immigration court in Manhattan to “accompany” migrants as they were leaving. As he walked out of a courtroom with a person, agents tried to separate the comptroller from the man, whom AP said was the target of the agents.

Mr. Lander “struggled” to keep close to the detainee before being pulled away, reported AP.

He’s the latest lawmaker to tussle with Homeland Security in what has become a path to stardom among Democrats. Mr. Lander badly trails the front-runners in next week’s Democratic primary.

Rep. LaMonica McIver, New Jersey Democrat, faces charges of assaulting ICE officers after a confrontation at a detention facility in her state last month. Video of the incident shows her seemingly bashing and pushing agents with her forearm.