U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended approximately 2,200 individuals in New York during July as part of a federal operation, according to Homeland Security officials. The operation, dubbed "Rotten Apple," targeted individuals accused of serious crimes, including murder, rape, drug trafficking, and gang involvement.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that ICE received no assistance from New York Governor Kathy Hochul or New York City Mayor Eric Adams in carrying out the operation. Mullin asserted that the federal action made New York safer by removing individuals he described as criminals and dangerous offenders.
"Operation Rotten Apple did what sanctuary politicians in New York City and the state of New York refuse to do: made the Empire State safer," Mullin said. He claimed that New York's "sanctuary policies" have led to the release of over 13,000 individuals accused of crimes back into the community.
Governor Hochul has supported legislation, such as the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which reportedly restricts local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents. Officials critical of these policies argue that they hinder efforts to deport non-citizens accused of crimes, potentially compromising public safety.
Mayor Adams has also faced scrutiny for policies that are said to create obstacles for ICE in removing criminal non-citizens. ICE officials have indicated that in the absence of cooperation from state and city officials, they will continue to conduct operations in New York to address public safety concerns.
Mullin vowed that ICE would increase its presence and operations in New York to counter what he characterized as a decline in law and order, implying that state and city policies have contributed to this situation. The federal agency's actions have previously led to protests in New York City.
Among the individuals arrested during "Operation Rotten Apple" were Bogdan Detrovich Gren, a Ukrainian national convicted of murder and other violent crimes; Andreas Bernal Chiquito, from Colombia, arrested for alleged sexual conduct against a child; Palvinder Singh, from India, convicted of rape in Germany; and Carlos Mendez-Acosta, from Venezuela, also convicted of rape.