Eleven Democratic politicians arrested at ICE jail in Manhattan

"New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and 10 state lawmakers were taken into custody inside 26 Federal Plaza after they were denied entry to inspect the 10th-floor cells. A group was there to "ensure compliance" with a court order on Thursday requiring ICE to improve conditions at the lockup, protest organisers said. The city's public advocate, Jumaane Williams, led another group of several dozen anti-ICE protesters who blocked the building's garage entrance, sitting on the pavement with signs and chanting, "Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here.""

"According to McLaughlin's account of the incident inside the building, Lander showed up "with agitators and media and proceeded to obstruct law enforcement and cause a scene." "He yelled inside the building that he was 'not leaving' until detainees were 'released,'" McLaughlin said in a statement. "As a result of the chaos caused by Lander, officers of the New York Police Department and federal law enforcement arrested members of the group. She said the entire building was placed under a lockdown afterward because "someone called in a bomb threat.""

"Organisers said more than 75 people in all were detained by city police and federal agents at both gatherings. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for ICE's parent agency, the US Department of Homeland Security, put the number of overall arrests at 71. The incident was the latest clash between federal authorities and Democratic politicians opposed to the immigration policies of President Donald Trump. Lander was detained in June inside the same building, where the government also operates an immigration court, while escorting a man who ICE wanted to arrest."

Brad Lander and 10 state lawmakers were detained at 26 Federal Plaza after being denied entry to inspect 10th-floor ICE cells under a court order requiring improved lockup conditions. More than 75 people were reported detained by organisers, while the Department of Homeland Security put the arrest total at 71. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams led a separate blockade of the building's garage entrance. DHS said Lander arrived with agitators and media, obstructed law enforcement, and refused to leave, prompting arrests and a subsequent building lockdown after a bomb threat call. The event echoed prior arrests of elected officials at immigration-related protests.

Read at Irish Independent