ICE conducts Operation Rotten Apple, arresting over 2,100 in New York

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the conclusion of ‘Operation Rotten Apple,’ a federal enforcement action that resulted in 2,197 arrests across New York State between July 27 and August 29. The operation targeted individuals across New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and upstate New York.

The federal crackdown follows the implementation of New York’s ‘Local Cops, Local Crimes’ Act, a state law that prohibits local agencies from maintaining partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Secretary Mullin framed the operation as a rebuke to Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing them of making the state less safe by releasing 13,000 noncitizens despite ICE detainers.

DHS officials stated the operation apprehended individuals convicted of serious crimes, including murder, kidnapping, rape, and drug trafficking. Among those identified was Palvinder Singh, an Indian national with a prior rape conviction in Germany. Additionally, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the de-naturalization of Gurmeet Singh, an Indian national whose citizenship was revoked following allegations that he concealed a rape and kidnapping during the naturalization process.