Hundreds of criminal illegal immigrants — including individuals accused of sex offenses against minors — were arrested during a recent 10-day law enforcement operation across Florida, officials announced Thursday.
The initiative, called Operation Criminal Return, launched on Oct. 25 and led to the arrests of 230 non-citizens with criminal records, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan said the arrests demonstrate the administration’s commitment to removing dangerous offenders.
“This operation underscores President Trump and Secretary Noem’s determination to target and remove dangerous criminal alien predators from the United States,” Sheahan said. “Sanctuary cities that shield these criminals from accountability undermine the rule of law and jeopardize the safety of their residents.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) noted in a statement that the effort — also known as Operation Dirtbag — focused on individuals convicted of crimes such as sexual assault of minors, rape, child exploitation, lewd and lascivious conduct, battery, and attempted homicide.
Officials shared that 150 of those taken into custody were identified as sexual predators.
Sheahan highlighted the partnerships involved in the arrests, emphasizing a unified stance against violent criminal offenders who are in the country illegally.
“Together, we send an unmistakable message: Criminal aliens who threaten our citizens and violate our laws will be removed and prevented from committing further heinous crimes,” she said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statement commending the effort, calling those arrested “the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens with horrific criminal histories,” particularly those with offenses involving children.
He added that the individuals arrested “will be out of our country soon.”
“Florida has been the most aggressive state in America on combating illegal immigration, and our state and local law enforcement agencies are doing more every day to be the federal government’s greatest tool in the fight to enforce immigration law,” DeSantis said.
