Judge acquits Democratic congressional candidate arrested at New York immigration court protest

Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander has been cleared of criminal charges related to his September 2025 arrest during a protest at a New York City immigration court. U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo delivered a not guilty verdict Thursday after a one-day trial, finding that prosecutors failed to prove Lander intended to obstruct elevator traffic or was uncooperative with law enforcement.

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I find the defendant not guilty.

Lander, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary, was accused of obstructing an elevator on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza for 20 to 25 minutes. However, Judge Ricardo's analysis of the evidence and Lander's testimony led to the exoneration. "I find the defendant not guilty," Ricardo stated, concluding that the government had not met its burden of proof.

Following the verdict, Lander expressed his relief and gratitude. "I feel genuinely moved by the rule of law," he said outside the courthouse, calling it a blessing to live in a country where individuals can successfully challenge government charges. He also extended his wishes for immigrants facing deportation to have comparable access to quality legal counsel and court proceedings.

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I feel genuinely moved by the rule of law. It's a blessing to live in a country where someone can successfully fight the government when wrongfully charged.

Prosecutors declined to comment on the verdict. Lander had previously rejected a plea deal that would have dismissed the misdemeanor obstruction charge after six months. This was not his first encounter with authorities during an immigration protest; he was arrested in June 2025 at another Manhattan immigration court but faced no charges. Lander, formerly the city's comptroller, had testified that he had no intention of disrupting elevator traffic and was not told he was obstructing it before his arrest.

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The government had failed to show that Lander intended to obstruct the elevators or was uncooperative as members of federal law enforcement gave protesters conflicting instructions.