NEW YORK – Brad Lander, former New York City Comptroller and current candidate for Congress, has been acquitted of criminal charges stemming from his protest against conditions in immigration detention. His attorney announced the verdict on June 11.
A federal judge found Lander, 56, not guilty of blocking an elevator entrance during his arrest last September. At the time, he was attempting to gain access to conduct an inspection of the detention conditions within a federal facility in Manhattan. Joined by fellow elected officials, Lander participated in the September 18 protest to highlight what they described as unsafe conditions at the temporary holding center located at 26 Federal Plaza.
Outside the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, Lander expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating, “What I got here is what the rule of law looks like.” He emphasized his belief that the current treatment of detainees represents a “perversion of the rule of law.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York refrained from commenting, while the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to inquiries regarding the case.
Federal buildings have recently become hotspots for unrest, particularly as authorities detained individuals attending immigration court hearings or routine check-ins. In fact, a federal court ruling in May resulted in a prohibition against immigration agents making arrests in the building’s courtroom.
Protests persisted both inside and outside the federal building, prompting a robust response from law enforcement. Lander had previously been arrested in June 2025 while attempting to assist an individual leaving immigration court.
In December, Lander entered a not-guilty plea, and the case moved to court on June 10, with the ruling delivered shortly thereafter.
As a liberal Democrat, Lander is vying for a position against Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), who currently represents New York’s 10th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Recent polls indicate that Lander holds a significant lead over Goldman as they approach the Democratic primary scheduled for June 23.
Lander enjoys the backing of Mayor Zoran Mamdani, an ally from the 2025 mayoral race, which was instrumental in securing Mamdani’s victory. Lander is among the left-leaning candidates endorsed by the mayor in the ongoing New York City election.
Regardless of the primary outcome, Lander has stated his intention to continue his presence at the immigration court building, committed to advocating for detainees’ rights.
Eduardo Cuevas is a reporter based in New York City. For inquiries, he can be reached via email or Signal.
