US Arrests 2,197 in New York Immigration Sweep
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested 2,197 people across New York during a month-long immigration enforcement operation dubbed “Operation Rotten Apple”. The Department of Homeland Security said the operation focused heavily on individuals it described as public-safety threats, including people with serious criminal records.
Operation Rotten Apple Leads to 2,197 Arrests
The enforcement drive ran across New York state from July 27 to August 29.
DHS said those detained were foreign nationals allegedly living in the United States unlawfully, including individuals with convictions or pending cases involving murder, rape, kidnapping, drug trafficking, assault and other serious offences.
Among those highlighted by authorities were people from Ukraine, Colombia, Mexico, India, Venezuela and several other countries.
The presence of an arrest or criminal charge does not necessarily establish guilt unless it resulted in a conviction.
ICE Targets Criminal Offenders Across New York
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the operation was intended to remove individuals considered threats to public safety.
Federal officials highlighted several detainees with previous convictions for violent offences and said immigration enforcement operations would continue across New York.
ICE maintained that the month-long campaign prioritised individuals with serious criminal histories rather than conducting indiscriminate arrests.
Trump Administration Targets Sanctuary Policies
The operation has also intensified the political dispute between the Trump administration and New York’s Democratic leadership over sanctuary policies that restrict cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agencies.
DHS accused Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of maintaining policies that hamper ICE enforcement.
Federal authorities also claimed thousands of undocumented migrants with criminal histories had previously been released from New York jails, although detailed evidence supporting the full figure cited by DHS was not provided publicly.
