Metropolis Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was again at 26 Federal Plaza Friday, three days after his arrest there, to as soon as once more observe court docket hearings for immigrants topic to instant deportation by ICE.
Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell
Metropolis Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was again at 26 Federal Plaza Friday, three days after his arrest there, to as soon as once more observe court docket hearings for immigrants topic to instant deportation by ICE.
Lander’s arrest and hours-long detainment on June 17 sparked backlash throughout town and nation. Gov. Kathy Hochul personally intervened within the matter, and the Division of Homeland Safety — which initially claimed the comptroller had assaulted brokers, regardless of video proof on the contrary — launched Lander with out expenses.
Undeterred, Lander returned to 26 Federal Plaza on June 20 to once more observe and advocate for immigrants showing for court-mandated hearings — which he mentioned has advanced into “a deeply dehumanizing process.”
“I did not get arrested or detained today, but we saw three people removed by the same non uniform masked ICE agents who gave no reason for their removal,” Lander mentioned throughout a press convention exterior 26 Federal Plaza, “who ripped them out of the arms of escorts in a proceeding that bears no resemblance to justice in which none of them were given an opportunity to speak to the credible fear that they have of persecution if deported back to their countries.”
Whereas strolling by way of the power, Lander, reporters and different observers once more noticed masked-up federal brokers roaming the halls trying to detain people of their sights.
Masked federal brokers roaming 26 Federal Plaza throughout immigration court docket hearings on June 20, 2025.Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell 
A purported Border Patrol agent at immigration court docket at 26 Federal Plaza on June 20, 2025.Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell 
Masked federal brokers roaming 26 Federal Plaza throughout immigration court docket hearings on June 20, 2025.Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell
He described one case that ended with a household separation during which ICE brokers “ripped away” a husband whereas his pregnant spouse regarded on after a decide dismissed the case towards him.
“It is an entirely arbitrary system that is designed to instill fear and dehumanize in pursuit of Donald Trump’s effort to deport millions of people and with no due process whatsoever,” Lander added. “The families who did everything the right way — who checked in when they crossed the border and showed up for their hearings, are still being denied due process, had a mockery made of their rights to make an appeal, and are then detained without notice about where they’ll be.”
On high of that, Lander mentioned that many detainees have been held at 26 Federal Plaza for so long as 5 or 6 days earlier than switch to different areas, regardless that the positioning doesn’t have correct amenities to detain folks. Members of Congress have repeatedly sought to entry the positioning and test in on the detainees, solely to be turned away by Homeland Safety officers.
“It is a deeply traumatic, evil place upstairs, and it is a shame upon the United States of America,” Lander added.
Lander’s spouse, Meg Barnette, shields the face of an immigrant exterior 26 Federal Plaza on June 20, 2025.Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell 
A lady in tears exterior 26 Federal Plaza on June 20, 2025.Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell 
Comptroller Lander speaks at a press convention on June 20, 2025, flanked by Metropolis Council Members Shahana Hanif and Tiffany Cabán.Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell
Queens Metropolis Council Member Tiffany Cabán attended the observations with Lander together with Brooklyn Metropolis Council Member Shahana Hanif and Queens state Sen. Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas. Cabán famous that among the judges at immigration court docket have been trying to comply with the legislation and act within the immigrants’ greatest pursuits, whereas different jurists have been appearing extra disrespectfully to the immigrants showing earlier than them and trying to shun these in search of to look at the instances.
“We don’t think these deportations are in the best interests of the United States. In fact, it makes us less safe,” mentioned Cabán, noting that lots of the immigrants dealing with deportation have fled persecution of their residence international locations. “We’re better when we keep families together here in this country.”
Lander, nonetheless, famous that immigrants who’ve proven up at their hearings with attorneys have had the most effective success in defending their asylum instances and avoiding being taken into custody by ICE. He harassed the significance of offering better public funding for immigrants in have to retain counsel to accompany them after they should seem in court docket, and publicly referred to as on Mayor Eric Adams to assist the Metropolis Council’s push for $170 million in new funding for such efforts.
“Getting people legal representation is critical,” the comptroller mentioned. “It’s a kangaroo court if you don’t have a lawyer, and you don’t speak English, and your rights are being ripped out from under you. But having a lawyer matters.”
