ICE nabs over 2K illegal migrants across NY in ‘Operation Rotten Apple’

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) snared nearly 2,200 illegal migrants — including convicted murderers, rapists and drug traffickers — in a monthlong sweep across New York state, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced Tuesday.

Agents nabbed 2,197 people between July 27 and Aug. 29 as part of “Operation Rotten Apple” — which Mullin noted was conducted “with no help” from either Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“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 in a statement.

“We won’t let sanctuary politicians stand in our way. If you’re a state or local politician, your best bet is to cooperate with us so we can all make America safe again,” he added.

Those arrested include Bogdan Detrovich Gren, a Ukrainian national in the US illegally with criminal convictions for kidnapping, abduction resulting in death, criminal possession of a weapon, and murder, according to DHS.

Andreas Bernal Chiquito, an illegal migrant from Colombia, has past arrests for sexual conduct against a child and injuring a child less than 17.

Also taken into custody was Palvinder Singh, an illegal migrant from India who was convicted of rape in Germany; and Carlos Mendez-Acosta, a Venezuelan migrant convicted of rape, according to the feds.

Mamdani signed an executive order shortly after he assumed office in January reinforcing sanctuary protections against what he called “abusive immigration enforcement” by the Trump administration.

Hizzoner has since passed additional legislation making it harder for local law enforcement to cooperate with President Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown.

Up in Albany, Hochul successfully pushed through legislation preventing state cops from partnering with federal immigration authorities, and barring ICE agents from most public places like hospitals and parks.

The problem as I see it, is most of these people will be back within a month. The border is a revolving door. Canada lets them in and they make their way across easily. Mexico is harder, but they can pay a smuggler and have a pretty good prospect of entry. It reminds me of the ending credits for “The Flintstones” where Fred puts the sabertoothed cat outside and shuts the door. The cat leaps through the window and puts Fred outside and it ends with Fred pounding on the door shouting for Wilma.

Heads up. Yesterday near Springfield, Ohio...
Haitian Immigrant Steps Into Traffic on I‑70 in Springfield, Ohio
A tragic incident on August 31, 2026 in Springfield, Ohio, involved Pierre Damas Bel, a 20‑year‑old Haitian immigrant, who was struck and killed by a semi‑truck on Interstate 70 near the 66‑mile marker, westbound, close to Ohio 54
.

What Happened
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Bel was parked on the right shoulder of the highway in a 2006 Toyota Avalon, got out of the car, and entered the westbound lanes. A tractor‑trailer tanker struck him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The westbound lanes were closed for about three hours while authorities investigated
Community and Family Accounts
Within Springfield’s Haitian community — one of the largest in the Midwest, with roughly 15,000 residents

— Bel’s death is being described as a suicide. LSV Media and his family allege that he had recently been fitted with an ICE ankle monitor after losing Temporary Protected Status and facing deportation. They say he felt humiliated, bullied at school, and overwhelmed by the stress of the federal immigration crackdown

Bel’s father, Pierres Ronal Bel, told reporters he felt his son was “treated like an animal” and that the loss of protection and the ankle monitor contributed to his distress
The Washington Post

Broader Context
The incident occurred amid a nationwide federal immigration enforcement surge targeting Haitians. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in June 2026, and the status officially ended on July 27
Cincinnati Enquirer
. Since then, ICE has detained dozens in Springfield, placed others in ankle monitors, and flown deportees to Haiti
Cincinnati Enquirer
.

Advocates and community leaders say the heightened enforcement has created fear, anxiety, and mental health strain among Haitians in Springfield, with some expressing suicidal thoughts
ctninfo.com
ctninfo.com
+1
.

Current Status
Authorities are still investigating the crash. The Highway Patrol has not publicly described the death as intentional, but the community and family continue to frame it as a suicide linked to the immigration crisis

My take: no one in Springfield, Ohio offered to sponsor him.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.