ICE arrests 2,197 immigrants in New York under 'Operation Rotten Apple'
Synopsis
Federal agents arrested 2,197 immigrants across New York State in a single operation — one of the largest ICE sweeps in the state's recent history. But the real story is the collateral fallout: New York's governor is now accusing the DHS of withholding $87 million in post-9/11 counterterrorism funding as political leverage, turning an immigration enforcement action into a national security funding battle.
Key Takeaways
ICE arrested 2,197 immigrants in New York State between late July and late August under 'Operation Rotten Apple.' DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the operation received no cooperation from Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Governor Kathy Hochul.
White House Border Czar Tom Homan accused Democratic politicians of releasing alleged criminals onto the streets instead of allowing ICE into local jails.
Governor Hochul accused the administration of lying and said the DHS is withholding 40 per cent of New York's counterterrorism funding — totalling $87 million.
Mayor Mamdani said ICE is 'criminalising the very fact of being an immigrant' and leaving residents 'in deep fear.'
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 2,197 immigrants across New York State between late July and late August, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced on Tuesday at a press conference in New York City. The sweep, conducted under 'Operation Rotten Apple', has reignited a fierce standoff between federal immigration authorities and New York's Democratic leadership.
What the Operation Involved
Mullin stated that the operation targeted individuals he described as 'murderers, rapists, pedophiles, drug traffickers, and violent assailants.' He claimed the sweep accomplished what 'sanctuary politicians' in New York City and the state refused to do — making the 'Empire State safer.' Mullin specifically noted that the operation received no cooperation from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Governor Kathy Hochul.
White House Border Czar Tom Homan added that Democratic politicians across the country claim to support public safety but refuse to allow immigration enforcement officers into local jails to take alleged criminals into custody, instead releasing them onto the streets. 'It makes no sense,' Homan said.
New York's Pushback
Governor Hochul sharply contested the federal characterisation at a separate press conference held the same day. 'We're not a sanctuary state for criminals,' she said, accusing the administration of 'lying to the public.' Hochul directed her remarks at the president, saying: 'Don't undermine our public safety efforts. Don't defund the police who thwart terror attacks. Don't play political games with people's lives.'
Hochul also alleged that the DHS — the very agency created in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks — is withholding 40 per cent of New York State's counterterrorism funding. She demanded the release of $87 million in outstanding funds, warning: 'If you don't release the counterterrorism funding, you're betraying every family that lost someone on 9/11.'
Mayor Mamdani's Response
Mayor Mamdani said that his administration would coordinate with the federal government if individuals committed serious crimes. However, he accused ICE of attempting to 'criminalise the very fact of being an immigrant.' 'What we are seeing from ICE is a terrorising of immigrants across our city and, frankly, across our nation, that has left so many, regardless of their status, in deep fear about even leaving their home,' Mamdani said.
Broader Context
The operation is part of a wider federal push to enforce immigration law in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions — cities and states that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. New York has long been a flashpoint in this debate, and 'Operation Rotten Apple' marks one of the largest single-state ICE sweeps in recent memory. The funding dispute over counterterrorism dollars adds a separate layer of tension, with state officials arguing that immigration enforcement politics are now bleeding into national security resource allocation.
With both sides digging in, the confrontation between Washington and Albany is set to intensify in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
197 arrests are a headline number, but the more consequential story is the counterterrorism funding standoff. By allegedly withholding 40 per cent of New York's post-9/11 security money, the federal administration has moved the immigration debate onto national security terrain — a politically riskier ground for both sides. Hochul's invocation of 9/11 families is not accidental; it is designed to reframe the narrative from border politics to homeland security betrayal. Whether that framing lands with the public will depend on how the funding dispute plays out — and whether any of the 2,197 arrests produce the high-profile criminal convictions the administration is clearly counting on for validation.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was 'Operation Rotten Apple' in New York?
'Operation Rotten Apple' was an ICE immigration enforcement sweep across New York State that ran from late July to late August, resulting in the arrest of 2,197 immigrants. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the operation at a press conference in New York City on Tuesday, describing it as targeting violent criminals and drug traffickers.
Why did Governor Kathy Hochul push back against the arrests?
Governor Hochul disputed the federal government's characterisation of New York as a sanctuary for criminals and accused the administration of lying to the public. She also alleged that the DHS is withholding $87 million — representing 40 per cent of the state's counterterrorism funding — as political leverage.
What did New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani say about the ICE operation?
Mayor Mamdani said his administration would cooperate with federal authorities over serious crimes, but accused ICE of criminalising immigrants simply for their status. He said the operation has left residents 'in deep fear about even leaving their home,' regardless of their immigration status.
What is the significance of the counterterrorism funding dispute?
Governor Hochul claims the DHS — the agency established after the September 11 attacks — is withholding 40 per cent of New York State's counterterrorism funding, amounting to $87 million. She warned that withholding these funds betrays the families of 9/11 victims, escalating the immigration standoff into a national security funding conflict.
What did White House Border Czar Tom Homan say about sanctuary cities?
Tom Homan accused Democratic politicians in New York and other states of refusing to allow ICE officers into local jails to detain alleged criminals, instead releasing them onto the streets. He called the practice contradictory for politicians who claim to support public safety.
