Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has condemned the arrest of New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander as “political intimidation” following a federal immigration sweep at a Manhattan courthouse.
“ICE just arrested Brad Lander… without grounds,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on social media. “He asked ICE for their warrant – well within his legal rights.”
Lander was detained Tuesday by federal agents while attempting to escort an individual out of an immigration courtroom, according to a reporter from The Associated Press who witnessed the arrest. The individual Lander was accompanying was also taken into custody.
Lander had been observing court proceedings that morning and told reporters he was there to support immigrants navigating the legal process.
