Brad Lander, New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate, was arrested by federal agents on Tuesday inside a Lower Manhattan immigration courthouse while attempting to shield a migrant from arrest.

The arrest of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander​ was denounced by many public officials, including many of the people who are his opponents in the Democratic mayoral primary.

On Tuesday, Lander — who, as New York City comptroller, is the highest-ranking Jewish official in the city’s government — was arrested by federal agents at an immigration court in Lower Manhattan after he linked arms with a person that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials were attempting to detain.