Operation Rotten Apple (ICE arrests in New York, 2026)
On September 1, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced, “Secretary Mullin Highlights Success of Operation Rotten Apple: ICE Arrests Over 2,100 Illegal Aliens in New York.” ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the arrests took place in July and August 2026.
The arrests were in New York State, but mostly in New York City. The name of Operation Rotten Apple is a play on New York City’s famous nickname, the “Big Apple.” The DHS has frequently named its operations like this—for example, DHS operations in Charlotte, North Carolina, were dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” “New York is nicknamed ‘The Big Apple’. A cold sense of humour from ICE” was posted on X/Twitter by Uncle Ruckus on September 1, 2026.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Secretary Mullin Highlights Success of Operation Rotten Apple: ICE Arrests Over 2,100 Illegal Aliens in New York
Release Date: September 1, 2026
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Mamdani released more than 13,000 criminal illegal aliens from jail back onto the streets of New York to terrorize innocent Americans
WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin hosted a press conference in New York City, announcing the success of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Operation Rotten Apple.
The operation, which took place from July 27 to August 29, resulted in the arrests of 2,197 illegal aliens across the state of New York, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, drug traffickers, and violent assailants.
“Thanks to the hard work of the men and women of ICE and our federal partners, Operation Rotten Apple did what sanctuary politicians in New York City and the state of New York refuse to do: made the Empire State safer,” said Secretary Mullin. “Over the course of this operation, we arrested murderers, rapists, pedophiles, drug traffickers, and violent assailants. And we did it with no help from Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul. The Trump Administration is committed to protecting the American people in every city and every state, and 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.”
“Operation Rotten Apple got some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens including murderers, kidnappers, and rapists off New York streets. ICE’s efforts to remove public safety threats from American communities has contributed to the largest decrease in violent crime in American history,” said Border Czar Tom Homan. “Democratic politicians in New York and elsewhere say that they care about public safety, but won’t let immigration law enforcement officers into their jails to take criminals into custody; instead they release them to their streets. It makes no sense. President Trump is a law and order president who delivers on his promises, so if state and local officials will not safeguard their communities against lawbreakers and threats, then we will.”
X/Twitter
New York Post
@nypost
ICE nabs more than 2K illegal migrants across New York in ‘Operation Rotten Apple’ - including child rapists, murderers https://trib.al/Piom1mA
10:02 AM · Sep 1, 2026
X/Twitter
Pathfinder
@asonflower
🍎 NY — The Big Apple
Sept. 1, 2026: ICE wraps “Operation Rotten Apple” on the same day Tim Cook’s last day as Apple CEO (Aug 31) becomes official.…New York just lost a lot of rotten ones. Apple just changed leaders. 🍎
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New York Post
@nypost
Sep 1
ICE nabs more than 2K illegal migrants across New York in ‘Operation Rotten Apple’ - including child rapists, murderers https://trib.al/Piom1mA
1:06 PM · Sep 1, 2026
X/Twitter
Uncle Ruckus
@Emarged
New York is nicknamed “The Big Apple”. A cold sense of humour from ICE.
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Insider Wire
@InsiderWire
Sep 1
#BREAKING: ICE arrests 2,000 illegals across New York, in “Operation Rotten Apple.”
1:15 PM · Sep 1, 2026
X/Twitter
Homeland Security
@DHSgov
We will stop at nothing to protect the American people.
Through Operation Rotten Apple, we did what @GovKathyHochul and @NYCMayor REFUSE to do: removed illegal aliens from the streets and made the Empire State SAFE.
9:40 AM · Sep 2, 2026