'Operation Rotten Apple': Nearly 2,200 Illegal Immigrants Arrested In New York

Authored by Jill McLaughlin via The Epoch Times,

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrested nearly 2,200 illegal immigrants during an enforcement sweep in New York dubbed "Operation Rotten Apple," officials announced Sept. 1.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers participated in the operation from from July 27 to Aug. 29, arresting 2,197 illegal aliens across the state, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, drug traffickers, and violent assailants, according to DHS.

"Thanks to the hard work of the men and women of ICE and our federal partners, 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," said Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.

New York Field Office Director Kenneth Genalo said federal immigration officers were harassed, threatened, targeted, and terrorized during the operation by local residents and community members.

The state's sanctuary policies allow criminals to be released back into the community instead of being handed over to federal immigration agencies, Genalo said during a press conference on Sept. 1. This forces federal immigration officers to locate the immigrants in their neighborhoods, at work, or in public spaces, he said.

"Local and state politicians continue to stand at podiums like this one and mislead the public about what these policies do," Genalo said. "And when elected officials excuse, minimize, or even celebrate the behavior, as they did in this case, they place a target on the back of the officers doing their jobs. ICE officers will not be intimidated by political rhetoric, sanctuary policies or street-level threats. Public safety is not optional. It is our duty."

New York's sanctuary policies have resulted in the release of 13,621 criminal illegal immigrants back onto the streets of New York, according to DHS.

Gov. Kathy Hochul rejected the accusations made by federal officials.

"New York works with federal law enforcement every day to take dangerous criminals off the streets," Hochul posted on X. "So spare us the theatrics."

Hochul also accused the federal government of not fully funding law enforcement in the state.

The illegal immigrants arrested included Bogdan Detrovich Gren from Ukraine. Gren was convicted of kidnapping, abduction resulting in death, criminal possession of a weapon, and murder.

Columbia national Andreas Bernal Chiquito was also arrested. His criminal history includes arrests for sexual conduct against a child and injury to a child less than 17.

Noel Celestino Lopez Martinez, an illegal alien from Mexico, was arrested. Martinez's history includes an arrest for first-degree rape and forcible compulsion.

Palvinder Singh, an illegal immigrant from India, was arrested during the operation as well. His criminal past includes a rape conviction in Germany.

Carlos Mendez-Acosta, an illegal alien from Venezuela, was arrested. His has been convicted of rape in the past.

Also arrested was Chhun Kim Pril, a Cambodia national who has a past conviction for drug trafficking.