New York, September 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 2,197 immigrants across New York state during an operation conducted from late July to late August, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin said.
Speaking at a press conference in New York City, Mullin said the operation, dubbed “Operation Rotten Apple”, had made the state safer and accused New York City and state officials of refusing to support federal immigration enforcement efforts.
“Over the course of this operation, we arrested murderers, rapists, pedophiles, drug traffickers, and violent assailants,” Mullin said, while claiming that the operation received no assistance from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Governor Kathy Hochul.
White House Border Czar Tom Homan also criticised Democratic leaders in New York and elsewhere, saying they claim to support public safety but prevent federal immigration officers from entering jails to take custody of criminal suspects. He alleged that such individuals were instead released into communities.
Hochul rejected the criticism at a separate press conference, saying New York was “not a sanctuary state for criminals” and accusing the Trump administration of misleading the public.
She urged the federal government not to undermine New York’s public safety efforts and called for the release of $87 million in counterterrorism funding that she said was being withheld. Hochul said the DHS was withholding 40 per cent of the state’s counterterrorism funding and warned that the move could affect families who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks.
Mamdani said his administration would coordinate with the federal government in cases involving people who commit serious crimes. However, he accused ICE of creating fear among immigrant communities and said the agency was effectively attempting to criminalise immigrant status itself.
The conflicting statements highlight the continuing political dispute between federal immigration authorities and New York leaders over immigration enforcement and the role of local governments.
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