NEW YORK — The trial of Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander opened in federal court in Manhattan this week, months after his arrest during a protest at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Lower Manhattan. Lander, a former New York City comptroller who is challenging Representative Dan Goldman in a Democratic primary, pleaded not guilty to a federal violation stemming from a September 2025 demonstration at 26 Federal Plaza, according to court proceedings and court filings.
The bench trial began on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Ricardo. Prosecutors alleged that Lander obstructed access to an elevator while participating in a protest with other elected officials who were seeking access to holding areas where immigrants were being detained. Federal prosecutors argued that Lander ignored warnings and intentionally blocked a means of access inside the federal building.
Lander rejected the allegation and testified in his own defense. “We explained why we were there,” he told reporters and the court, according to CBS New York. He said the group had sought to inspect detention conditions and that federal agents arrested them after denying access to the facility. Lander testified that he did not believe he was obstructing the elevator and said he would have moved if anyone had needed to pass.
The case stems from a Sept. 18, 2025 protest at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses an ICE field office, immigration courts and other federal agencies. According to reports and testimony, Lander joined other elected officials attempting to inspect holding rooms after concerns were raised about detention conditions. Authorities arrested dozens of people during the demonstration, including several lawmakers, according to the Department of Homeland Security and media reports.
The Department of Homeland Security previously criticized the protest, describing it as a political action that disrupted operations. Lander and his supporters have maintained that the demonstration was a lawful effort to examine conditions faced by detainees and to exercise public oversight of federal immigration facilities.
The trial unfolded as Lander continued his campaign for New York’s 10th Congressional District, with the Democratic primary scheduled later this month. Court records show he declined a proposed resolution and instead sought a trial.
On Thursday, Judge Ricardo found Lander not guilty, ruling that prosecutors had not shown he intentionally obstructed access to the elevator area. Following the verdict, Lander said he would continue advocating for immigrant rights and government accountability.
