Many in the city’s Democratic political circles suggested the arrest was a last-ditch push for attention by Lander’s campaign. One lawmaker noted privately that Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was arrested during a protest outside of an immigration detention center in his city, lost in the primary for New Jersey governor earlier this month.

Lander was released four hours after his arrest. He told the media that he was at the courthouse to "accompany" a defendant out of immigration court.