ICE arrests 2,100 immigrants in New York monthlong operation

The Trump administration announced more than 2,100 immigration arrests across New York in a monthlong initiative called Operation Rotten Apple, escalating a bitter feud over the state's new Local Cops, Local Crimes Act. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that New York's refusal to cooperate with ICE via the 287(g) program will trigger an influx of federal agents. Meanwhile, state leaders like Governor Kathy Hochul defend the law as a public safety measure, while federal officials argue it forces dangerous public arrests. Amid these tensions, DHS expects to equip all field ICE agents with body cameras by the end of September 2026.

Operation Rotten Apple arrests

• ▪Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin acknowledged that Operation Rotten Apple was not limited to convicted criminals and that ICE would arrest individuals based solely on their undocumented status
• ▪Operation Rotten Apple arrests occurred across New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and upstate counties
• ▪The Trump administration arrested more than 2,100 immigrants across New York in a monthlong operation named Operation Rotten Apple from July 27 through August 29, 2026
• ▪Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that Operation Rotten Apple targeted individuals convicted of serious crimes, including murder, rape, kidnapping, and drug trafficking

New York sanctuary policy conflict

• ▪Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James defended New York's Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, stating it ensures public safety resources combat local crime rather than performing ICE's work
• ▪Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin accused New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of releasing 13,000 noncitizens despite ICE detainers
• ▪Kenneth Genalo, director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York City, stated that sanctuary policies force agents to make arrests in public spaces rather than controlled jail environments

Federal-state enforcement confrontation

• ▪White House border czar Tom Homan warned in June 2026 that restricting local partnerships with ICE would result in an unprecedented surge of federal immigration agents in New York City
• ▪Fifteen New York county sheriffs filed a lawsuit to overturn the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act on the day it took effect
• ▪New York's Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, signed in May 2026, prohibits state and local agencies from entering into or maintaining 287(g) agreements, with a dissolution deadline of August 25, 2026
• ▪Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James sued Rensselaer County to force its compliance with the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act after the county failed to end its 287(g) agreement

ICE body camera deployment

• ▪ICE previously missed its self-imposed target to equip all field officers with body cameras by the end of August 2026
• ▪Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is meeting with the CEO of Motorola to discuss activating camera capabilities on the communication microphones that ICE agents already wear
• ▪Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that all ICE agents in the field are expected to be equipped with body cameras by the end of September 2026

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