Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Tuesday called New York a “crime-ridden city,” even though the New York Police Department (NYPD) has reported historically low levels of homicides and shootings for months.
The official appointed by President Donald Trump made these statements when announcing that ICE agents detained about 2,100 people in New York during the last month. Mullin also threatened to send more ICE agents to the city if local elected officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, do not agree to work with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement.
From the third floor of 26 Federal Plaza, the Lower Manhattan immigration court that became one of ICE’s main detention points during the summer of 2025, Mullin criticized Hochul and Mamdani for supporting “sanctuary city” policies that limit local authorities’ cooperation with ICE.
The official stated that the Trump administration seeks to “restore” order and security in New York City through actions directed against immigrants.
“We will send as many people as we can to make sure we are restoring order and security,” Mullin said.
“President Trump made it very, very clear. He loves New York. He’s said it time and time again. He wants order and security restored,” Mullin added, before calling New York a “crime-ridden city” run by “its socialist mayor and liberal government.”
The NYPD has not yet released crime figures for August. However, as of July, the department indicated that the city was on track for a historic year, with record numbers of homicides and shootings.
As of July 31, 2026, 149 homicides had been recorded in the city, surpassing the previous record for the lowest number of murders, of 174, established in 2017.
These historically low crime figures have been recorded despite a personnel crisis that continues to affect the NYPD, whose total number remains around 35,000.
Our sister publication, amNewYork, consulted the NYPD about Mullin’s statements and is awaiting a response.
Mamdani’s office responds to immigration statements
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs questioned Mullin’s statements.
Commissioner Faiza N. Ali told amNewYork that she listened to the Sept. 1 press conference and believes the statements underscore the importance of New Yorkers knowing their legal rights amid increased immigration enforcement actions.
“I had the unfortunate opportunity to listen to that press conference,” Ali said. “What we can say is this: It is very clear to us, after working with community organizations on the ground, that there is an increase in immigration enforcement activities throughout New York City. Our role as city officials is to ensure that our communities know their rights and know where to turn for legal support.”
Ali acknowledged that many immigrant communities currently live in fear and uncertainty.
“The level of fear and uncertainty that communities across New York City are experiencing is understandable,” he said. “The message we are sending to New Yorkers is that they are not alone.”
Criminals arrested during “Operation Rotten Apple”
In addition to warning that more ICE agents could be deployed in New York, Mullin said the recent immigration operation, dubbed “Operation Rotten Apple,” resulted in approximately 2,100 arrests.
Among those mentioned by the secretary are Ukrainian citizen Bogdan Detrovich Gren, who was detained on charges including murder and kidnapping, as well as Colombian citizen Andreas Bernal Chiquito, arrested after previously facing charges related to sexual conduct against a minor.
Although Mullin highlighted several people charged or convicted of serious crimes, the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a nonpartisan research organization at Syracuse University, reports that approximately 70% of people currently detained by ICE have no criminal record.
Mullin defended the administration’s approach.
“When you choose to take the shortcut, you have made a conscious decision to enter this country illegally and violate our nation’s laws,” Mullin said. “If you are here illegally, regardless of your situation, whether you are a convicted felon or not, you are still in this country illegally and our job is to locate you and deport you.”
Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, described the recent immigration actions as part of a broader escalation by the federal government.
“The Trump administration has escalated its actions across New York State since day one of this administration,” Awawdeh told amNewYork. “For a year and eight months we have witnessed an escalation across the state: from raids on farms and manufacturing plants to stopping random people on the streets, stopping vehicles in different parts of the state and conducting traffic stops. We are in a state of emergency.”
“As long as they continue to threaten us, we will continue to speak up and make sure we defend each other,” he added.
Hannah Stauss, co-founder of Hands Off NYC, also condemned Mullin’s remarks, calling the press conference part of a “retaliation campaign.”
“Mullin is spreading lies from the podium in a sick attempt to manufacture a campaign of retaliation against a city that is confronting fascism,” Stauss said in part of his statement. “They are not fooling us. ICE is an uncontrolled and violent agency that acts with unlimited force and must be abolished.”
Deborah Chen, associate director of the Immigrant Protection Unit at New York Legal Assistance Group, also condemned the statements.
“For the federal government to arrest thousands of immigrant New Yorkers and threaten to send more immigration enforcement agents this fall is an affront to one of New York’s core values as a city of immigrants. New York will continue to be a city that welcomes and protects the New Yorkers — whether they arrived yesterday or generations ago — who make our city a more prosperous, safer, and greater place,” Chen said.
amNewYork has reached out to Governor Hochul’s office and is awaiting a response.
