Overview
- Lander is facing a federal misdemeanor charge that he unreasonably obstructed use of the 26 Federal Plaza hallway during a protest over detention conditions.
- Prosecutors say Lander and others blocked egress on the 10th floor during a September 2025 attempt to inspect detention cells, while Lander denies obstructing elevators or hallways.
- Most co-defendants accepted plea deals that reportedly included limits on future protests, but Lander rejected an offer he said would bar him from protesting and chose to go to trial.
- Opening arguments at the Lower Manhattan federal courthouse presented the defense version that Lander went to inspect the 10th floor in his official capacity and did not block access, and witnesses including state Sen. Julia Salazar are expected to testify.
- The trial could allow lawyers to directly question ICE and DHS actions on the 10th floor and shape public debate about protest rights, oversight of immigrant detention and the legal risks for elected officials who join demonstrations.