Operation Rotten Apple — DHS Claims 2,197 NY ICE Arrests, Blames Sanctuary Policies

Sept 1 2026: DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin held a NYC press conference announcing 2,197 ICE arrests statewide over a 34-day operation (Jul 27–Aug 29). DHS did not disaggregate criminal convictions vs. immigration-only arrests. Mullin threatened to send more federal agents into NYC and accused Hochul and Mamdani of releasing 13,000 noncitizens despite ICE detainers. City has not confirmed or refuted the 13K figure. Same day, Hochul/Mamdani held a separate presser demanding release of $87M in withheld FEMA counterterror funding.