Judge Acquits Brad Lander of Obstruction but Notes Protest Blocked Federal Officers at Immigration Court

U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Ricardo acquitted former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander on Thursday of a federal misdemeanor obstruction charge tied to a September 2025 protest at the Federal Plaza Immigration Court in Manhattan. The charge accused Lander of blocking an elevator and federal officers while he and roughly a dozen other elected officials attempted to inspect conditions for immigrants held inside the building.

Lander was one of 11 officials arrested during the protest, which involved about 75 people total. The one-day bench trial took place on Wednesday. Lander had rejected a plea deal and requested the trial to obtain more information through discovery about immigration enforcement tactics at the site.

“Whatever happens on June 23rd, I will keep showing up to protect our immigrant neighbors and insist that the rule of law apply to everyone,” Lander said after the verdict. Lander faces an earlier June 2025 arrest at the same building, where he linked arms with an immigrant ICE officers sought to detain. He was released without charges in that case.

Early voting for the June 23 Democratic primary in New York’s 10th Congressional District begins Saturday. Lander is challenging incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman and leads him by double digits in recent polls.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren have endorsed Lander; Gov. Kathy Hochul backs Goldman. Lander appeared in court wearing a New York Knicks cap. He told reporters before the verdict that he had been more focused on the Knicks’ 107-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs the previous night than on the trial outcome.

A federal court ruling in May barred immigration agents from making arrests inside immigration courts at the building. Lander has said he will continue visiting the facility regardless of the primary result.