New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Tuesday during a confrontation at a Manhattan immigration court.

The incident took place at 26 Federal Plaza, where Lander was attending a hearing involving an immigrant whose deportation case had just been dismissed pending appeal.

As the immigrant exited the courtroom, Lander was seen walking alongside them when ICE agents intervened.

Lander campaign spokeswoman Dora Pekec confirmed the arrest in a statement to the Washington Examiner, saying, “While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE. This is still developing, and we are monitoring the situation closely.”

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According to footage from the scene, Lander questioned the agents’ authority as they attempted to separate him from the immigrant.

“Show me your warrant. Show me your badge,” Lander shouted.

“I will let go if you show me a judicial warrant. I would like to see the warrant, and then I will let go.”

Agents then restrained Lander and pushed him against the wall as they took the immigrant into custody.

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“You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens,” Lander said while being held by ICE agents.

“I’m not obstructing, I am standing right here in the hallway. … You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant.”

Reporters at the courthouse witnessed the incident and asked ICE agents for information about where Lander was being taken.

The agents did not respond.

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Lander’s arrest comes just one week before the New York City mayoral primary election.

He is currently running as a Democratic candidate in a competitive field.

The situation follows a similar event last week involving U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), who was forcibly removed by federal officials after disrupting a press conference held by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

That incident occurred shortly after riots broke out in Los Angeles, prompting the Trump administration to deploy National Guard and Marine units to restore order in the city.

ICE agents have increased enforcement activity in sanctuary cities, including New York and Los Angeles, following directives issued under President Donald Trump.

Recent operations have focused on locating and detaining individuals with active deportation orders or unresolved immigration cases.

Tuesday’s incident has prompted reactions from political observers as Lander’s campaign enters its final stretch before the primary.

The status of the immigrant involved in the case remains unknown.

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Court officials have not released details about the hearing or the individual’s legal proceedings.

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