--- title: "Operation Rotten Apple detains over 2,100 migrants in New York" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/operation-rotten-apple-detains-over-2100-migrants-in-new-york" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/operation-rotten-apple-detains-over-2100-migrants-in-new-york" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/operation-rotten-apple-detains-over-2100-migrants-in-new-york.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/operation-rotten-apple-detains-over-2100-migrants-in-new-york" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-01T15:46:21.233Z" source_reported: "2026-09-01T15:01:00.000Z" updated: "2026-09-01T15:46:21.233Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-01T17:02:06.031Z" --- # Operation Rotten Apple detains over 2,100 migrants in New York *Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the results of a month-long immigration enforcement operation.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to named officials, but relied on anonymous sourcing for specific criminal allegations. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes quotes from officials and names affected parties, but lacks context on the operation's broader implications. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines promise a major crackdown, but the body of reporting focuses on a single operation with limited scope. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Operation Rotten Apple, a federal immigration enforcement operation, led to the detention of more than 2,100 migrants in New York between July 27 and August 29. - Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated the operation targeted individuals living in the U.S. illegally, including alleged gang members, rapists, murderers, and child predators. - Mullin criticised New York politicians for sanctuary policies, claiming they hinder federal immigration enforcement and make the state less safe. - The operation proceeded without the cooperation of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Governor Kathy Hochul, according to Mullin. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that "Operation Rotten Apple" resulted in the detention of over 2,100 migrants in New York. The operation, which ran from July 27 to August 29, targeted individuals residing in the U.S. without legal status. Mullin stated that those arrested included individuals accused of serious crimes such as gang membership, rape, murder, and child predation. Mullin criticised New York's sanctuary policies, asserting that they impede federal immigration enforcement efforts and contribute to a less safe environment. He stated that the operation achieved what "sanctuary politicians in New York City and the state of New York refuse to do: made the Empire State safer." Mullin also claimed the operation occurred without assistance from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Governor Kathy Hochul. ## Disagreement on operation dates The period during which Operation Rotten Apple took place is reported differently by some outlets. CBS Austin and WPDE stated the operation ran from July 27 through August 9. However, ABC 7 NY and PIX 11 reported the operation ran from July 27 to August 29, a duration of 30 days. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated reports covered this story. The right-rated digests did not mention the specific date of the announcement, only that it occurred. The centre-rated reports from ABC 7 NY and CBS Austin mentioned the announcement occurred on a Tuesday, but did not specify the date. The specific number of arrests varied slightly between reports, with ABC 7 NY and PIX 11 stating "more than 2,100", CBS Austin and WPDE stating "more than 2,100", and Times of India reporting "2,197 arrests." ## Who covered it Shares of the 15 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 0% (0) - Centre: 27% (4) - Right: 73% (11) 3 of 18 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-01T17:02:06.031Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 9 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-01T18:00:22.628Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left No separate framing summary. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports from ABC 7 NY and PIX 11 led with the announcement of over 2,100 migrant arrests in New York as part of Operation Rotten Apple. Both reports highlighted Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's announcement and his criticism of New York politicians for sanctuary policies. ABC 7 NY also noted that the operation occurred without assistance from NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Governor Kathy Hochul. CBS Austin's report also focused on the number of arrests and Mullin's statements, including his characterisation of those arrested as "the worst of the worst" and his criticism of sanctuary policies and the state's release of criminal defendants. ### Right - Right-rated reports from Fox Business, NTD News, WPDE, Times of India, WND, New York Post, and WBFF focused on the announcement of Operation Rotten Apple and the number of arrests. Many highlighted Mullin's statement that the arrests included alleged gang members, rapists, murderers, and child predators. The New York Post and WND quoted Mullin directly, with WND using the phrase "Worst of the worst" in its headline and quoting Mullin saying "there's a special place in hell for those individuals." The Times of India reported 2,197 arrests and mentioned the sweep targeted illegal migrants with serious criminal records. Several reports, including those from Fox Business and NTD News, indicated they were broadcasting or reporting on a live press conference. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 2 - mixed: 6 - high: 3 - unknown: 3 - veryHigh: 4 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [libero.pe](https://libero.pe/estados-unidos/2026/09/01/alerta-maxima-inmigrantes-legales-indocumentados-en-estados-unidos-ice-detiene-de-2100-extranjeros-en-estado-santuario-operacion-rotten-apple-ee-uu-usa-lbeu-72999) — MAXIMUM ALERT, Legal and Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.: ICE Detains More than 2,100 Foreigners in This "Sanctuary" State During Operation Rotten Apple - [realnewsnow.com](https://realnewsnow.com/ice-arrests-more-than-2000-illegal-migrants-across-new-york-in-operation-rotten-apple) — ICE Arrests More Than 2,000 Illegal Migrants Across New York in ‘Operation Rotten Apple’ - Real News Now - [Daily Post Nigeria](https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/01/theres-special-place-for-them-in-hell-us-security-confirms-arrest-of-2100-criminals) — 'There's special place for them in hell' - US security confirms arrest of 2,100 criminals - [Fox Business](https://foxbusiness.com/video/6404426010112) — WATCH LIVE: Mullin highlights illegal immigration crackdown in New York City - [NTD News](https://ntd.com/ntdplus/live-now-dhs-secretary-mullin-announces-results-of-operation-rotten-apple-in-new-york_1169770.html) — LIVE NOW: DHS Secretary Mullin Announces Results of Operation Rotten Apple in New York - [abc 7 NY](https://abc7ny.com/post/homeland-security-officials-announce-2100-immigrant-detentions-ny/19774922) — Homeland Security officials announce 2,100+ immigrant detentions in NY - [OpsLens](https://opslens.com/worst-of-the-worst-operation-rotten-apple-takes-2100-criminals-off-nyc-streets) — ‘Worst of the worst’: Operation Rotten Apple takes 2,100 criminals off NYC streets - [WPDE](https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/ices-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-operation-rotten-apple-nets-2100-arrests-across-new-york-in-30-days-homeland-security-markwayne-mullin-gang-members-rapists-murder-child-predator-mayor-mamdani-gov-hochul-287g-agreements) — ICE: 'Operation Rotten Apple' arrests 2,100 immigrants across New York in 30 days - [military-stuff.org](https://military-stuff.org/live-dhs-secretary-mullin-speaks-on-operation-rotten-apple-us-trump) — DHS Secretary Mullin Speaks on Operation Rotten Apple - [大纪元 Epoch Times](https://epochtimes.com/b5/26/9/1/n14840858.htm) — More than 2,000 Illegal Immigrants Arrested in New York; Mullin Holds Press Conference. - [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/mullin-live-dhs-secretary-announces-major-new-york-immigration-crackdown-operation-rotten-apple/videoshow/133684632.cms) — Mullin LIVE: DHS Secretary announces major New York Immigration crackdown | ‘Operation Rotten Apple’ - [PIX 11](https://pix11.com/news/local-news/operation-rotten-apple-dhs-made-2100-arrests-in-the-past-month-in-ny) — ‘Operation Rotten Apple’: DHS made 2,100 arrests in the past month in NY - [WND](https://wnd.com/2026/09/worst-worst-watch-makwayne-mullin-announce-operation-rotten) — ‘Worst of the worst’: Operation Rotten Apple takes 2,100 criminals off NYC streets - [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/01/us-news/ice-nabs-more-than-2k-illegal-migrants-across-new-york-in-operation-rotten-apple-including-child-rapists-murderers) — ICE nabs more than 2K illegal migrants across New York in ‘Operation Rotten Apple’ — including child rapists, murderers - [The Post Millennial](https://thepostmillennial.com/ice-arrests-over-2000-illegal-aliens-across-new-york-in-operation-rotten-apple) — ICE arrests over 2,000 illegal aliens across New York in ‘Operation Rotten Apple’ - [RedState](https://redstate.com/wardclark/2026/09/01/rotten-apple-raids-ice-nails-murderers-child-predators-in-epic-new-york-sweep-n2206353) — Rotten Apple Raids: ICE Nabs Murderers, Child Predators in Epic New York Sweep - [CBS Austin](https://cbsaustin.com/news/nation-world/ices-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-operation-rotten-apple-nets-2100-arrests-across-new-york-in-30-days-homeland-security-markwayne-mullin-gang-members-rapists-murder-child-predator-mayor-mamdani-gov-hochul-287g-agreements) — ICE: 'Operation Rotten Apple' arrests 2,100 immigrants across New York in 30 days - [WBFF](https://foxbaltimore.com/news/nation-world/ices-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-operation-rotten-apple-nets-2100-arrests-across-new-york-in-30-days-homeland-security-markwayne-mullin-gang-members-rapists-murder-child-predator-mayor-mamdani-gov-hochul-287g-agreements) — ICE: 'Operation Rotten Apple' arrests 2,100 immigrants across New York in 30 days ## Questions **What was Operation Rotten Apple?** Operation Rotten Apple was a federal immigration enforcement operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York. The operation ran for approximately 30 days, from late July to late August, and resulted in the detention of over 2,100 migrants. **Who announced the results of Operation Rotten Apple?** Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the results of Operation Rotten Apple. He stated that the operation targeted individuals living in the U.S. illegally and included alleged gang members, rapists, murderers, and child predators. **Did New York state and city officials cooperate with Operation Rotten Apple?** According to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the operation proceeded without the assistance or cooperation of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani or New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Mullin criticised their sanctuary policies. **How many people were detained during Operation Rotten Apple?** Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that over 2,100 migrants were detained during Operation Rotten Apple. Some reports specified 2,197 arrests, while others stated "more than 2,100". --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/operation-rotten-apple-detains-over-2100-migrants-in-new-york. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Operation Rotten Apple detains over 2,100 migrants in New York", https://mediabias.news/politics/operation-rotten-apple-detains-over-2100-migrants-in-new-york