Dozens of New York Elected Officials Arrested at Immigration Facility

More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers were arrested while attempting to access a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility in Lower Manhattan. The officials, who included New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, sought to review conditions at the facility after a court order required ICE to improve cleanliness and limit capacity. The arrestees were charged with obstructing entrances and corridors, a misdemeanor. The protest follows a long history of tensions between Democratic officials and federal immigration authorities.

Key Takeaways:

• 12 New York elected officials, including Comptroller Brad Lander, were arrested at a federal building in Lower Manhattan.
• The officials were attempting to access an ICE holding facility to review conditions after a court order requiring humane treatment and improvements to the facility.
• The officials were charged with obstructing entrances and corridors, a misdemeanor.
• Immigration detention facilities fall under federal oversight, giving members of Congress the right to visit and inspect them.
• State and local lawmakers do not have that authority.
• ICE has previously denied Democratic lawmakers access to facilities in California, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
• The arrests come after a surge in immigration detentions and reports of overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in holding facilities.

Statistics:

• 26: The number of Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan where the ICE holding facility is located.
• 10th: The floor where the holding cells are located.
• 10: The number of city and state lawmakers arrested along with Comptroller Brad Lander.
• 4: The number of officials detained outside the building.
• 62: The number of protesters blocking a garage used by ICE vehicles to transport detainees.
• 75: The number of people in custody after the arrests.
• May: The month when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested after trying to visit a new detention facility in his city.
• June: The month when Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested by ICE officers while attempting to escort a defendant from his appearance at immigration court.

Sources:

• News release from Comptroller Brad Lander's office
• Statement from DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin
• Interview with New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams
• The Washington Post article: "New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and 10 other elected officials arrested by federal agents"
• The Post has reported previously