NEW YORK (PNN) - September 2, 2026 - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrested nearly 2,200 illegal invaders during an enforcement sweep in New York dubbed "Operation Rotten Apple," officials announced September 1.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers participated in the operation from July 27 to August 29, arresting 2,197 illegal invaders across the state, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, drug traffickers and violent assailants, according to DHS.
"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," Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.
New York Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo said federal immigration officers were harassed, threatened, targeted and terrorized during the operation by local residents and community members.
The state's sanctuary policies allow criminals to be released back into the community instead of being handed over to federal immigration agencies, Genalo said during a press conference on September 1. This forces federal immigration officers to locate the immigrants in their neighborhoods, at work or in public spaces, he said.
"Local and state politicians continue to stand at podiums like this one and mislead the public about what these policies do," said Genalo. "When elected officials excuse, minimize, or even celebrate the behavior, as they did in this case, they place a target on the backs of the officers doing their jobs. ICE officers will not be intimidated by political rhetoric, sanctuary policies or street-level threats. Public safety is not optional. It is our duty."
New York's sanctuary policies have resulted in the release of 13,621 criminal illegal invaders back onto the streets of New York, according to DHS.
The illegal invaders arrested included Bogdan Detrovich Gren from Ukraine. Gren was convicted of kidnapping, abduction resulting in death, criminal possession of a weapon and murder.
Columbia national Andreas Bernal Chiquito was also arrested. His criminal history includes arrests for sexual conduct against a child and injury to a child younger than 17.
Noel Celestino Lopez Martinez, an illegal invader from Mexico, was arrested. Martinez's history includes an arrest for first-degree rape and forcible compulsion.
Palvinder Singh, an illegal invader from India, was arrested during the operation as well. His criminal past includes a rape conviction in Germany.
Carlos Mendez-Acosta, an illegal invader from Venezuela, was arrested. He had previously been convicted of rape.
Also arrested was Chhun Kim Pril, a Cambodia national who has a past conviction for drug trafficking.