Brad Lander, a New York City official and candidate for mayor, was arrested at an immigration court. He was arrested because he linked arms with someone the authorities wanted to detain. Lander was watching immigration court hearings in Manhattan when agents tried to arrest a man leaving a courtroom. Lander then linked arms with the man and asked to see a court order. The agents eventually separated them and arrested Lander. After he was released, Lander said he was just trying to peacefully protest against the previous government's immigration policies. This arrest happened while there is a national increase in arrests outside immigration courts. Other Democratic candidates and politicians have criticized Lander's arrest.