ICE Arrests 2,197 in New York Immigration Sweep Targeting Criminal Records
Homeland Security says 2,197 people were arrested in New York during a monthlong ICE operation targeting individuals with criminal records, amid disputes.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 2,197 people across New York during a monthlong enforcement operation targeting individuals with criminal records that concluded on August 29, 2026. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the total on September 1, describing the sweep, called Operation Rotten Apple, as focused on individuals with serious criminal records and cases involving immigration detainers.
Mullin characterized those arrested in stark terms during a briefing in New York City. He argued these individuals should never have been on the streets and blamed New York's sanctuary policies for limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Operation followed dispute over ICE cooperation
The administration framed the arrests as a direct response to New York's restrictions on cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Secretary Mullin directed criticism at Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, claiming the state had released 13,000 criminal defendants despite ICE detainer requests.
This dispute includes the state's decision to end certain 287(g) agreements, which allow local agencies to work with ICE. New York's Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, signed in May 2026, gave participating agencies until August 25 to unwind those agreements. Operation Rotten Apple began before that deadline and continued through August 29.
DHS listed range of alleged offenses
Officials said the arrests involved people with histories connected to serious crimes. The department cited murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, weapons offenses, and drug trafficking. Crimes involving children and sexual assault against children were also highlighted.
The briefing detailed three specific cases to illustrate its focus. One involved a Ukrainian national with murder convictions. Another involved an Indian national convicted of rape in Germany. A third involved a Colombian national accused of child sexual assault. The agency broadly described the sweep as targeting murderers, rapists, pedophiles, drug traffickers, and violent assailants.
Announcement lacked detailed detainee breakdown
While providing the overall figure, the Department of Homeland Security did not publish a full, case-by-case accounting of the 2,197 detainees. The department did not specify how many had criminal convictions, how many had only pending charges, or how many were detained on another basis.
The same lack of detail applies to the administration's claim about 13,000 noncitizens released despite detainers. No documented breakdown was provided to show how many in that figure had convictions versus merely pending charges. This distinction is central to understanding the scope of the operation.
Critics of the sweep argue it reached beyond the worst of the worst description. They contend ICE was conducting indiscriminate enforcement and using local law enforcement to advance mass deportations.
Mullin credited agents, criticized state leaders
Secretary Mullin credited ICE employees and federal partners for the operation's results. He reiterated that the federal government would continue enforcing immigration laws. Mullin also stated that New York officials should have allowed federal authorities to act before releasing people from custody.
The operation reached four broad regions: New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and upstate New York. Its 2,197 arrests were tallied as participating local agencies moved to unwind cooperation agreements under the new state law. The enforcement campaign unfolded while the rules for local cooperation were changing, leaving questions about the precise basis for each detention.
