Florida, feds arrest 15 illegal immigrants with criminal records in ‘targeted’ operation

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and U.S. Border Patrol arrested 15 amerciable immigrants with transgression records during a "targeted" enforcement cognition successful Key Largo.

The operation, portion of "Operation Tidal Wave," was carried retired March 9 by FHP's Criminal Alien Apprehension Team (CAAT) successful coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Officials said each 15 amerciable aliens had anterior transgression histories, including charges oregon convictions for artillery and home violence, cause possession and distribution, burglary, theft, location invasion, aggravated battery, firearm offenses and obstruction of justice, among others. Some besides had anterior deportation offenses and failures to look successful court.

"The Florida Highway Patrol leads successful the apprehension and apprehension of transgression amerciable allies who person committed convulsive crimes present oregon abroad," Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Executive Director Dave Kerner wrote successful a statement. "Our Criminal Alien Apprehension Team (CAAT) and national partners are executing targeted, coordinated operations that region transgression aliens disconnected our streets. This is what accountability looks like, and Florida volition proceed to pb with decisive enactment to support our residents." 

STRING OF ATTACKS CONNECTED TO NATURALIZED CITIZENS RAISES NATIONAL SECURITY QUESTIONS

Florida Highway Patrol worked with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to transportation retired an migration enforcement cognition successful which 15 individuals were arrested connected March 9, 2026, successful Key Largo, Florida. (Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)

Authorities said successful a Thursday announcement that those arrested were nationals of Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico and Guatemala and were unlawfully contiguous successful the United States.

According to FHP, the bureau has apprehended much than 9,000 Illegal immigrants since March 2025 done the national 287(g) program, including much than 1,600 with anterior transgression histories.

Florida Highway Patrol officers person been empowered to enforce national migration instrumentality successful concern with national agents. (St. Augustine Police Department)

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARRESTED AFTER SHOWING UP TO FLORIDA BORDER PATROL OFFICE FOR CONTRACT IT WORK

The FLHSMV wrote it is committed to securing its states streets and communities.

"This cognition underscores Florida's continued committedness to protecting its communities from individuals who prosecute successful transgression enactment and interruption U.S. migration law," it said successful a Thursday property release. "Through coordinated efforts similar Operation Tidal Wave, authorities and national partners are moving proactively to place threats, uphold nationalist safety, and guarantee that those who repeatedly disregard the instrumentality are held accountable and removed disconnected our streets."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been 1 of the nation's starring governors successful encouraging authorities and section practice with national migration and customs and borderline patrol officials. (AP/Rebecca Blackwell)

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"Border information is simply a whole-of-government effort, and the occurrence of our ngo depends connected beardown partnerships with federal, state, and section agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol," acting Miami Chief Patrol Agent Samuel Briggs wrote successful a connection aft past week's arrests.

"Our partners are captious to our operations and service arsenic a unit multiplier, enabling america to respond swiftly and efficaciously to threats, support our communities, and uphold the information of our nation’s borders."