A group of Democrat elected officials was arrested Thursday after attempting to storm a federal ICE detention facility in New York City that was housing violent illegal immigrant criminals, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Led by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, the group of 11 lawmakers staged what DHS described as a “coordinated stunt” at the ICE building on 26 Federal Plaza. The group included two New York State Senators and nine State Assembly Members. All were taken into custody after an hour-long disruption, according to Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
The agitators reportedly sat on the floor, chanted anti-ICE slogans, and held up a banner reading “NYers against ICE,” while demanding the release of detainees — some of whom were convicted drug traffickers, gang members, and weapons offenders.
“These aren’t innocent migrants seeking shelter. These are dangerous individuals with serious criminal records — including MS-13 members, gun runners, and fentanyl traffickers,” said McLaughlin.
Inside the Facility: Dangerous Criminals
The ICE holding center where the incident occurred was reportedly housing:
An MS-13 gang member convicted of weapons possession and DUI
A drug trafficker caught with enough fentanyl to kill a million people
A repeat offender previously arrested for flying drones near the White House
Multiple illegal aliens convicted of gun charges
Federal Protective Service officers on site were forced to call in NYPD and additional DHS personnel after the protest escalated.
“A sitting city comptroller endangering DHS officers while defending convicted criminals is a disgrace,” said McLaughlin. “Another day, another activist politician trying to score headlines at the expense of law enforcement and public safety.”
In total, 71 individuals were arrested — including Brad Lander, State Senators Julia Salazar (Brooklyn) and Gustavo Rivera (Bronx), and Assembly Members Emily Gallagher and Marcela Mitaynes, among others. They were charged with misdemeanor obstruction for blocking federal corridors and entrances.
Bomb Threat Lockdown
Compounding the chaos, DHS officials confirmed the building had to be placed on lockdown due to a bomb threat phoned in during the standoff — though no explosives were found. The threat remains under investigation.
McLaughlin blasted the left-wing politicians for emboldening anti-ICE violence:
“This type of rhetoric is contributing to the 1000% surge in assaults on ICE officers. Brad Lander and his colleagues are vilifying the very people who protect our communities from violent criminals.”
Repeat Offenders
This isn’t the first time Lander has tangled with federal immigration authorities. In June, he was detained while attempting to interfere with an ICE deportation operation. Thursday’s arrest further cemented his place as a leading figure in the anti-enforcement wing of the Democrat Party.
Following his release, Lander doubled down, telling The New York Times that his protest was motivated by “unsanitary conditions” in the ICE facility and a desire to stop “family separations.”
DHS responded bluntly:
“Brad Lander’s obsession with attacking the brave men and women of law enforcement, physically and rhetorically, must stop NOW.”
Political Fallout
The arrests are expected to reignite the debate over sanctuary city policies and the Democrat Party’s increasingly hostile stance toward federal immigration enforcement. Republicans wasted no time slamming the stunt as “reckless” and “un-American.”
“It’s no surprise that the same politicians who want open borders are now physically trying to break open jail cells,” said a senior GOP aide on Capitol Hill. “They’re not pro-immigrant — they’re pro-chaos.”
The ICE facility remained under heightened security Friday morning. No injuries to officers were reported.
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