OPERATION ROTTEN APPLE: ICE Nabs 2,197 In NY Sweep

Federal immigration authorities arrested 2,197 people across New York during a monthlong enforcement operation targeting illegal immigrants with criminal histories, the Department of Homeland Security announced.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin unveiled the results of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Operation Rotten Apple” during a press conference in New York City. The operation ran from July 27th through August 29th.

“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,” Mullin said.

Mullin said those arrested included people accused or convicted of murder, rape, child sex crimes, drug trafficking and violent assaults. He also criticized New York’s sanctuary policies and said the Trump administration would continue enforcing federal immigration laws.

Among those DHS highlighted was Bogdan Detrovich Gren, a Ukrainian national whose criminal history includes convictions for kidnapping, abduction resulting in death, weapons possession and murder.

The agency also identified Andreas Bernal Chiquito of Colombia, whose record includes arrests for sexual conduct against a child and acting in a manner to injure a child under 17.

Noel Celestino Lopez Martinez of Mexico was previously arrested for first-degree rape by forcible compulsion, while Palvinder Singh of India was convicted of rape in Germany, according to DHS. Carlos Mendez-Acosta of Venezuela also had a rape conviction.

ICE officials said cooperation between local and federal law enforcement is critical to protecting communities.

“The safety of the public must take precedence over political agendas,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo said.

DHS said New York sanctuary policies have resulted in 13,621 illegal immigrants it characterizes as criminals being released from jails rather than transferred to federal immigration authorities.