On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin addressed the media in New york city to declare the conclusion of Operation Rotten Apple. This initiative, conducted over the past month, resulted in the arrest of 2,100 immigrants across the state.

The press conference, held at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security offices in Lower Manhattan saw Mullin criticize local leadership. He labeled Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a “liberal slash socialist mayor” and Governor Kathy Hochul for their refusal to collaborate with DHS on immigration enforcement.

Operation Rotten Apple: Targets and Criticisms

Mullin described the individuals targeted by the operation as gang members, rapists, murderers, and child predators. However, he did not specify how many of those arrested had any criminal record. This raises questions about the nature of the arrests and the criteria used by ICE.

Data from the Deportation Data Project reveals that 66% of the more than 18,000 ICE arrests in New York state since President Donald Trump took office were of individuals with no criminal history. This statistic underscores the debate surrounding the focus of immigration enforcement efforts.

Arrest Statistics and Public Safety

A DHS press release stated that 2,197 immigrants were detained between July 27 and August 29. The release included photos and criminal histories of ten individuals, but provided no further details on the thousands more arrested. A request for comment on the criminal records of those arrested was not returned.

ICE arrest data for August is not yet available, but Mullin’s figures indicate a 62% uptick in arrests from July, which was already the highest tally under Trump’s second term. In July, ICE arrested 1,355 people across New York state, 1,034 of whom had no criminal history.

Community Reactions and Incidents

Following the passage of new restrictions on collaboration between local police and immigration enforcement officials, Trump border czar Tom Homan threatened to surge agents to New York. Reports suggest this surge began in late July.

In the weeks since, social media has been flooded with photos and videos of agents making arrests across New York City, particularly in immigrant neighborhoods like Queens’ Corona and College Point. There have also been reports of a focus on drivers with out-of-state plates. In one incident, an agent pepper-sprayed 72-year-old Linda Wolff who was attempting to film agents in Inwood.

When questioned about this incident at the press conference, Mullin claimed unfamiliarity with the case and could not explain why Wolff had been pepper-sprayed.

Defending Immigration Enforcement Tactics

Mullin defended DHS’ arrest tactics, arguing that individuals who entered the country illegally are criminals. “We don’t pick and choose which law we’re enforcing. We’re going to enforce the laws regardless,” he stated. However, most immigration violations are civil, not criminal, in nature.

Immigrant advocates criticized Mullin’s appearance in New York City. Hannah Stauss co-founder of Hands Off NYC a coalition of local groups organizing against ICE, stated, “Mullin is spewing lies from the podium as some sick attempt to manufacture a retribution campaign against a city for standing up to fascism.”

Stauss further emphasized that ICE is a “rogue, violent agency acting with unchecked force that must be abolished.”