Full Breakdown
Operation Rotten Apple: ICE arrests over 2,100 illegal migrants in New York
9/2/2026, 1:10:21 AM
Core Event
Between July 27 and late August, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained more than 2,100 undocumented migrants in New York as part of “Operation Rotten Apple.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the arrests included alleged gang members, rapists, murderers and child predators. The operation was conducted without assistance from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Governor Kathy Hochul.
Background & Context
New York’s sanctuary policies, reinforced by an executive order signed by Mayor Mamdani in January and legislation championed by Governor Hochul, limit local law-enforcement cooperation with ICE and bar 287(g) agreements that allow joint immigration enforcement. DHS officials argue that those policies have resulted in thousands of criminal-status migrants remaining on the streets.
Data & Statistics
- Arrests: > 2,100 individuals captured in a 30-day period.
- Criminal categories reported: gang affiliation, rape, murder, child sexual abuse, drug trafficking.
- Highlighted cases:
- Bogdan Detrovich Gren – Ukrainian national convicted of murder, kidnapping and weapons possession.
- Palvinder Singh – Indian national convicted of rape in Germany.
- Andreas Bernal Chiquito – Colombian national with prior arrests for sexual conduct against a child.
Official Statements & Responses
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin asserted that the operation removed “the worst of the worst” from New York streets and criticized local officials for “refusing to work” with federal immigration enforcement. He linked the arrests to the state’s decision to end 287(g) agreements and warned that additional federal agents would be deployed if cooperation does not improve. Former President Donald Trump echoed the criticism, stating that sanctuary states should not receive federal funding while they “embrace these criminals.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “These arrests included gang members, rapists, murderers and child predators — which I believe there is a special place in hell for those individuals,” — Markwayne Mullin, homeland security secretary “These arrests included gang members, rapists, murderers and child predators — which I believe there is a special place in hell for those individuals,” — Markwayne Mullin, homeland security secretary
- “I don’t think we should be sending one federal penny to sanctuary states and sanctuary cities. And I know President Trump is looking at options there. In my opinion, I don’t think taxpayer dollars from the great people of Oklahoma or any other red state should be funding a state that embraces these criminals like New York,” — Markwayne Mullin, homeland security secretary “I don’t think we should be sending one federal penny to sanctuary states and sanctuary cities. And I know President Trump is looking at options there. In my opinion, I don’t think taxpayer dollars from the great people of Oklahoma or any other red state should be funding a state that embraces these criminals like New York,” — Markwayne Mullin, homeland security secretary
- “These individuals should never have been on our streets,” — Markwayne Mullin, homeland security secretary “These individuals should never have been on our streets,” — Markwayne Mullin, homeland security secretary
- “Over the last 30 days, Operation Rotten Apple has taken over 2,100 criminals off our streets,” — Markwayne Mullin, homeland security secretary “Over the last 30 days, Operation Rotten Apple has taken over 2,100 criminals off our streets,” — Markwayne Mullin, homeland security secretary
