U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested hundreds of people in a multi-agency operation in New York City over a 30-day period. ^[1] U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on September 1, 2026, that ICE had detained 2,197 undocumented immigrants in New York state during an operation called 'Operation Rotten Apple.' ^[2] Users between the ages of 18 and 21 traded an estimated $5.4 billion on Kalshi so far this year, with $3.9 billion specifically in sports-related events. ^[3] On July 19, Lionel Messi was sitting alone on the grass outside New York with a lost gaze and weeping tears. ^[4] The operation was a response to New York state's new sanctuary policies that restrict local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. ^[5] Mullin said the operation was carried out between July 27 and August 29, 2026. ^[6] A ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed Nevada's government to impose state law against Kalshi's sports-related event contracts. ^[7] Kalshi allows anyone 18 years old and older to trade, whereas sports gambling is off-limits for anyone under 21 in most states. ^[8] New York State is suing to shut down Kalshi, alleging it is operating an unlicensed gambling platform. ^[9] While Messi sat in sorrow, the noise of celebrations was heard behind him. ^[10] Mullin announced the detentions at a press conference in Lower Manhattan on September 1, 2026. ^[11] The author reflects that if time could have stopped on that July 19 afternoon, this moment of pain would never have existed. ^[12]