Editorial | Unacceptable actions: The arrests of Brad Lander and immigrants by masked ICE agents

City Comptroller Brad Lander’s arrest at the hands of masked federal agents Tuesday in Lower Manhattan was unacceptable and beyond the pale.

Regardless of what one thinks of Lander’s politics, the fact is that he is a city official elected by the people who has a vested interest in supporting those who live here. In this case, he was at immigration court in Lower Manhattan seeking to advocate for individuals subject to deportation.

What ensued was a terrifying display in which masked federal agents accosted Lander for refusing to back away from an immigrant they sought to apprehend for deportation, who had their case dismissed pending appeal.

When Lander resisted, the masked agents pinned Lander against the wall and slapped the cuffs on him. The comptroller charged that they had no right to arrest him, but his words did not matter.

Homeland Security officials had the audacity to claim that Lander “assaulted” law enforcement agents. But Lander was released Tuesday without any charges, and the video of his arrest did not back up the DHS assault claim.

Lander’s arrest comes a week after California Senator Alex Padilla was thrown to the ground and pinned after he sought to ask a question during Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference in Los Angeles.

It also comes as numerous New York immigrants have walked into ICE headquarters at 26 Federal Plaza for court hearings but never walked out, having been arrested by ICE agents and taken to parts unknown.

The Trump administration’s actions in recent weeks have terrified immigrants across New York and the country at large. Its actions have been nothing short of unacceptable.

These are law-abiding people who seek to remain in their adopted home and are obeying court orders to report for hearings. But for following the court orders, they are getting accosted and abducted by armed-to-the-tooth federal agents wearing masks and so much body armor that no one can recognize who they are, or if they are legitimate government agents.

There is simply no reason for this to be happening in the United States of America, a country based on the concepts of all people being created equal and protected by due process of law.

Elected officials should not be arrested for advocacy.

Immigrants who follow the law and court orders should not be apprehended and disappeared.

Federal agents should show their faces at all times when they do their job.

This fearful campaign must end.