New York’s Immigration Court Becomes Focal Point in Congressional Race
In the heart of Lower Manhattan, a federal immigration court is not only a symbol of the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation policy but also a battleground in one of New York City’s most scrutinized congressional races. The court at 26 Federal Plaza is seeing chaos and tension as it plays a critical role in the campaigns of two Democratic primary candidates, each with distinct strategies for addressing immigration issues.
Incumbent U.S. Representative Dan Goldman and former city Comptroller Brad Lander are vying for a seat in a district known for its strong Democratic leanings, making the primary a decisive electoral contest. The candidates have centered their campaigns on the treatment of migrants at the courthouse, although their methods differ significantly.
Goldman, who has a background as a prosecutor and was the lead counsel in President Donald Trump’s first impeachment, tackles the issue with a legalistic approach. He has taken legal action against the administration to allow congressional access to immigration detention centers, conducted oversight visits, and transformed his office into a support hub for immigrants. According to his campaign, these efforts have facilitated the release of over 30 individuals from federal custody. Goldman claims such oversight has contributed to better conditions at a facility inside 26 Federal Plaza. “What you see from our multipronged approach is the way that I push back, which is not performative, but it is substantive,” he stated during a recent visit.
Conversely, Lander, who has been a prominent figure in city government, adopts a more hands-on approach by protesting and observing court proceedings. His activism has led to two arrests, with the latest case set for trial before the primary. “I would characterize his oversight function as strongly worded letters,” Lander said of Goldman, contrasting it with his own actions of public protest and demands for access.
Lander’s first arrest occurred last year while he was campaigning for mayor, gaining attention during a period when his opponents, Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, were frontrunners. Later, he was arrested again during a protest, facing a misdemeanor charge. Instead of accepting a plea deal to dismiss the case, he chose to go to trial, hoping to shed light on federal immigration enforcement actions.
Goldman, however, views Lander’s tactics as mere theatrics. “I don’t understand why someone would reject a dismissal of a case so that he can have a public trial, ostensibly to ask for information that I could provide him whenever he wanted because I have the answers from doing my oversight,” Goldman remarked.
Recently, Lander returned to 26 Federal Plaza to attend hearings. Upon hearing of federal agents at another courtroom nearby, he rushed over, observing the agents before they left for unclear reasons. “The challenge is trying to figure out who they’re going to arrest,” Lander noted. Afterward, he filmed a campaign video outside the courthouse, highlighting his ongoing commitment to immigration issues. “Maybe we have different styles,” he said, reflecting on his and Goldman’s differing approaches.
