Background on Brad Lander and His Relevance
Brad Lander is the New York City Comptroller, a position responsible for auditing city finances and ensuring transparency. He is also a candidate in the Democratic primaries for Mayor of New York City, making him a prominent figure in local politics. His commitment to advocating for immigrant rights has placed him in the spotlight, especially given his recent arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Incident at the Immigration Court
On Tuesday, Lander was detained by ICE agents during an event at a specialized immigration court. The purpose of his presence was to demonstrate support for individuals facing deportation proceedings, highlighting the confusion and fear surrounding these cases.
Lander’s Wife Speaks Out
Meg Barnette, Lander’s wife and a fellow activist, expressed her distress during a press conference. She emphasized that Lander is a duly elected city official, a U.S. citizen with a valid U.S. passport, and a candidate for Mayor.
“Many were being told their cases were dismissed without understanding the consequences,” Barnette added, explaining Lander’s role in advocating for immigrants’ rights and clarifying the complexities of immigration proceedings.
Lander’s Criticism of ICE Agents
Barnette shared a video on social media showing Lander being handcuffed by ICE agents. In the footage, Lander can be heard asserting that ICE lacks authority to detain U.S. citizens.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Brad Lander? Brad Lander is the New York City Comptroller and a candidate in the Democratic primaries for Mayor of New York City.
- Why was Lander arrested? Lander was arrested by ICE agents during an event at a specialized immigration court where he showed support for individuals facing deportation proceedings.
- What is Lander’s role in the immigrant rights movement? As a city official and mayoral candidate, Lander has been vocal about advocating for immigrant rights and clarifying the complexities of immigration proceedings.
- What was Lander’s reaction during the arrest? Despite being detained, Lander maintained that ICE agents lacked the authority to arrest U.S. citizens.
