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Congressional Candidate Brad Lander's NYC Immigration Court Arrest Trial Begins
Lander says the case centers on his attempt to inspect detention rooms after a judge ordered immigration officials to improve conditions.
- On Wednesday, Congressional candidate Brad Lander stood trial in Manhattan federal court regarding his September 2025 arrest at 26 Federal Plaza for allegedly blocking elevators while protesting detention conditions.
- Lander was arrested alongside 10 other officials on September 18, 2025, after attempting to inspect 10th-floor holding cells, testifying he sat down only after being denied access to the facility.
- Federal prosecutor Ariel Cohen argued Lander "intentionally" blocked elevators, obstructing federal business, while defense attorneys countered that Lander sat near the wall and was never explicitly told to move.
- Following the one-day trial without a jury, Thursday Federal Magistrate Judge Henry Ricardo is expected to deliver a ruling Thursday morning, with prosecutors stating they will not seek jail time if convicted.
- Lander, seeking the 10th Congressional District seat, pursued the trial as a legal strategy to force the federal government to disclose documents regarding ICE's conduct amid a primary battle against Rep. Dan Goldman.
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Lander takes the stand in federal trial for protest arrest at 26 Federal Plaza
Former New York City comptroller and current Congressional candidate Brad Lander testified Wednesday in Manhattan federal court that he did nothing wrong while protesting ICE’s detention of immigrants in 26 Federal Plaza last September, which he was arrested for. "We did not create an unsafe and disruptive situation by demanding access that day, and that's why I decided to take this case to trial," Lander said. "What was ... unsafe and disruptiv…
·New York, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Left
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left
38% Left
L 38%
C 31%
R 31%
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