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] As of September 1, 2026, a new law in New York state requires cosmetology students to be trained to work with all hair types. ^[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] Assembly member Michaelle Solages, who sponsored the law, stated that the legislation ensures no New Yorker should be turned away or receive substandard care because of their hair texture. ^[7] Governor Kathy Hochul signed the law requiring cosmetology and natural hair styling classes to include instruction on hair types from the kinkiest to the straightest. ^[8] While Messi sat in sorrow, the noise of celebrations was heard behind him. ^[9] Mullin announced the detentions at a press conference in Lower Manhattan on September 1, 2026. ^[10] The new training curriculum requires students to learn about hair and scalp properties and hair care and styling techniques associated with textured hair. ^[11] The author reflects that if time could have stopped on that July 19 afternoon, this moment of pain would never have existed. ^[12]