NYC Immigration Court Becomes Focus of Heated House Race

A federal immigration court in Lower Manhattan has become both a symbol of Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and a major political battleground in one of New York City’s most closely watched congressional races.

The courthouse at 26 Federal Plaza has drawn national attention after reports of aggressive immigration arrests carried out by federal agents in hallways outside courtrooms. Now, the building is playing a central role in the Democratic primary between incumbent Congressman Dan Goldman and former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.

Immigration court becomes campaign centerpiece

The district is heavily Democratic, making the June primary effectively the deciding election.

Both candidates have centered parts of their campaigns around the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics inside the federal building, though they have adopted very different approaches.

Dan Goldman emphasizes legal oversight

Goldman, a former federal prosecutor and lead counsel during Trump’s first impeachment, has focused on institutional oversight and legal action.

His actions have included:

• Filing lawsuits seeking congressional access to detention centers
• Conducting oversight inspections
• Using his nearby congressional office as a support center for immigrants
• Coordinating legal aid and advocacy resources

Goldman said his strategy focuses on substantive oversight rather than public spectacle.

Following a recent inspection of the detention facility inside the building, he argued that congressional pressure helped improve conditions there.

Brad Lander embraces direct protest tactics

Lander, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a visible protest figure and courtroom observer.

Backed by Zohran Mamdani, Lander has repeatedly attended immigration hearings and attempted to escort migrants out of the building past federal agents.

His activism has resulted in two arrests.

Lander’s arrests included:

• Linking arms with a migrant during an attempted detention
• Participating in a large protest at 26 Federal Plaza

The second incident led to a misdemeanor obstruction charge.

Rather than accepting a plea agreement that would dismiss the case, Lander chose to go to trial, arguing the legal process could expose additional information about federal immigration operations.

Goldman calls protests “performative”

Goldman criticized Lander’s approach, suggesting the protests are designed more for publicity than policy results.

He argued that the information Lander seeks through court proceedings could already be obtained through official congressional oversight channels.

Lander rejected that criticism, saying direct public action and witnessing immigration enforcement firsthand are necessary forms of accountability.

Federal immigration enforcement sparks controversy

The immigration court has become controversial because federal agents have reportedly waited outside hearings to detain migrants immediately after proceedings conclude.

Advocates argue the practice discourages immigrants from attending court hearings and undermines due process protections.

The issue has intensified political tensions in New York, where local leaders continue clashing with federal immigration authorities over enforcement policies.

Courtroom activism continues ahead of primary

This week, Lander again visited the immigration courthouse to monitor hearings.

His campaign team later alerted him that federal agents were reportedly waiting near another courtroom across the street.

Lander entered the building, observed the hearing, and monitored agents who were reportedly wearing masks inside the waiting area.

After the agents eventually left, Lander returned to 26 Federal Plaza and filmed campaign material outside the courthouse.

He acknowledged that he and Goldman may simply have “different styles” of confronting the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

Immigration remains central political issue

The race reflects broader Democratic Party tensions over how aggressively elected officials should respond to Trump-era immigration enforcement tactics.

While Goldman emphasizes institutional power and legislative oversight, Lander is betting that visible public resistance and protest resonate more strongly with progressive voters.

The outcome of the primary could signal which approach Democratic voters in New York prefer as immigration once again becomes a defining national political issue ahead of the midterm elections.