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New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is opting for a criminal trial instead of accepting a plea deal following his arrest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest. Lander, along with several other elected officials, was arrested in September during a sit-in at 26 Federal Plaza, where they attempted to inspect an ICE detention center on the 10th floor.
The protest aimed to observe whether ICE was complying with an injunction to limit detainees and provide humane conditions. The group was denied access and arrested after refusing to leave. While others, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and State Senators Julia Salazar and Jabari Brisport, accepted a plea deal to have charges dropped if they avoid further arrests in federal buildings for six months, Lander chose to proceed to trial.
In a statement, Lander emphasized his intent to question ICE officers about activities within the detention facility, stating, "I will have the opportunity to question the officers about what they were doing on the tenth floor in that detention facility on that day." He argues that the real crime is what ICE is doing in the detention facilities.
Lander, who appeared in federal court on November 18, said he is willing to risk a potential 30-day jail sentence to uncover the truth and protect immigrant rights. No trial date has been set, and Lander, who is leaving office on December 31, is considering a congressional run against U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman.
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