Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral hopeful, was apprehended by federal agents at an immigration court after interposing himself with a man the authorities sought to detain. Lander, observing proceedings at the federal building in Manhattan, linked arms with the individual as agents moved to take him into custody upon exiting the courtroom, demanding judicial authorisation. The agents ultimately separated them and arrested Lander, who, upon release, declared he was engaged in a non-violent act of civil disobedience against the Trump administration's immigration policies. This arrest, occurring amidst a nationwide surge in apprehensions outside immigration courts, has elicited strident condemnation from fellow Democratic candidates and political figures alike.