Federal immigration authorities have ramped up arrests across New York under a campaign dubbed "Operation Rotten Apple," a targeted enforcement effort aimed at removing individuals in the country without legal status who have criminal convictions. The operation, which has drawn both support from law-and-order advocates and sharp criticism from immigrant rights groups, represents one of the most aggressive localized immigration enforcement pushes in the state in recent years. Critics argue the operation disproportionately targets Latino communities and relies on broad criteria that go beyond the most serious offenders, while supporters point to the criminal records of those detained as justification. The surge in arrests has heightened tensions between federal agents and local jurisdictions, with some New York cities and counties declaring themselves "sanctuary" zones to limit cooperation with ICE.
Immigration arrests surge in New York under 'Operation Rotten Apple' NCPR: North Country Public Radio
