New York City – Federal officials announced Tuesday that over 2,100 illegal immigrants were detained in the state as part of “Operation Rotten Apple.” The operation, led by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, took place from July 27 to August 29 and was carried out without assistance from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Governor Kathy Hochul.
Federal action targets sanctuary policies
Secretary Mullin said the detentions demonstrate what sanctuary politicians in New York City and the state have refused to do: make the Empire State safer. “We won’t let sanctuary politicians stand in our way. If you’re a state or local politician, your best bet is to cooperate with us so we can all make America safe again,” he said in a statement.
The operation follows New York’s recent law that bars local jurisdictions from entering partnership agreements with federal civil immigration enforcement. While many localities have resisted, Nassau County continues to work with ICE. Nassau police have deputized ten detectives to assist ICE, and the county sheriff’s department is holding thousands of detainees at its East Meadow jail.
Local officials’ response
Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul declined to comment on the operation, maintaining their long‑standing opposition to federal immigration enforcement in the city and state. Their stance underscores the ongoing tension between federal authorities and sanctuary jurisdictions.
Immigration advocates and community groups have criticized the mass detentions, calling them a humanitarian crisis. Federal officials, however, argue that the crackdown is necessary to enforce immigration law and protect public safety.
What comes next?
The Department of Homeland Security indicated that additional operations may follow if local cooperation remains limited. The focus remains on removing illegal immigrants who are deemed a threat to community safety and enforcing the rule of law across the nation.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
