NEW YORK (AP) — Brad Lander, a Democratic congressional candidate, was acquitted on Thursday of criminal charges stemming from his arrest during a protest at a New York City immigration court in September. U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo announced the verdict, stating, "I find the defendant not guilty," after a one-day trial in Manhattan. Following the ruling, Lander expressed gratitude for the judge's thorough review of the case. He emphasized the importance of access to legal representation for immigrants facing deportation.
Federal prosecutors had argued that Lander obstructed an elevator by sitting in front of it for 20 to 25 minutes on September 18, 2025. However, Judge Ricardo determined that the prosecution did not demonstrate that Lander intended to obstruct the elevators. Lander testified that he was not informed of any obstruction and rejected a plea deal that would have dismissed the charge after six months. This was not Lander's first arrest related to immigration protests; he was previously arrested in June 2025 but faced no charges at that time.