Florida reports hundreds of arrests in sweeping immigration crackdown
Key Points(5)
- Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced the results of three coordinated immigration enforcement operations across the state, reporting hundreds of arrests of what officials described as criminal unauthorized migrants, repeat immigration violators, and individuals with serious criminal histories.
- The operations were conducted in partnership with federal agencies, including U.S.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S.
- Border Patrol, and U.S.
- Department of Homeland Security, along with multiple Florida law enforcement bodies.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced the results of three coordinated immigration enforcement operations across the state, reporting hundreds of arrests of what officials described as criminal unauthorized migrants, repeat immigration violators, and individuals with serious criminal histories.
The operations were conducted in partnership with federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, along with multiple Florida law enforcement bodies.
“Florida will continue to use every available resource to identify dangerous individuals, support federal immigration enforcement, and keep our citizens safe,” DeSantis said. “No state has moved faster or done more to combat illegal immigration than Florida.”
State officials said Florida’s participation in the federal 287(g) program has expanded significantly, with agencies across all 67 counties involved in immigration-related enforcement coordination.
According to state officials, Florida’s coordinated enforcement efforts have resulted in nearly 25,000 arrests statewide since the expansion of large-scale operations. During the first week of “Operation Tidal Wave,” officials said more than 1,100 arrests were made, which they described as a record for a single state in a single week.
Operation results
Officials outlined results from three recent operations:
Operation Sandhill Sentinel involved the Florida Highway Patrol, Broward Sheriff’s Office, ICE, Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida National Guard, and the Florida State Guard. Authorities reported 250 arrests, including individuals with prior deportations, domestic violence allegations, drug offenses, DUI charges, and other violent crimes.
Among those arrested, officials cited a repeat immigration violator from Mexico referred for federal prosecution after allegedly reentering the U.S. for a fifth time, and another individual from Honduras facing domestic violence-related charges while previously under electronic monitoring.
Operation LOCATE, conducted with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, focused on unaccompanied migrant children who entered the country during recent border surges. Officials said more than 400 children were identified or located to assess their safety and living conditions, with some cases linked to trafficking concerns or other risks.
Operation Criminal Return, carried out by FDLE and ICE, targeted individuals in Florida with serious criminal backgrounds, including registered sex offenders, sexual predators, and convicted violent offenders. Authorities said 230 arrests were made during the 10-day operation, including convicted felons, drug traffickers, and individuals convicted of murder.
State officials said the enforcement efforts will continue as Florida expands cooperation with federal partners to target what they describe as high-risk offenders and repeat immigration violators.
