TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV\/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 230 people during a 10-day operation across Florida targeting illegal immigrants with criminal convictions, federal officials announced.<\/p>\n
ICE partnered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the raids, which focused on convicted sexual predators and offenders who pose significant threats to public safety. The arrests were made during Operation Criminal Return, which launched Oct. 25.<\/p>\n
The 230 people arrested were convicted of crimes including sexual assault, sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation of children, possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, burglary, attempted premeditated murder with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery, according to ICE.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis operation underscores President Trump and Secretary Noem\u2019s determination to target and remove dangerous criminal alien predators from the United States,\u201d said ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan. \u201cSanctuary cities that shield these criminals from accountability undermine the rule of law and jeopardize the safety of their residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sheahan said Florida has shown exceptional leadership through strong partnerships with ICE.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, 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,\u201d Sheahan said.<\/p>\n
Gov. Ron DeSantis said the operation removed hundreds of dangerous illegal immigrants with criminal histories.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough Operation Criminal Return, hundreds of the most dangerous illegal criminal aliens with horrific criminal histories, including sexual crimes against children, are off our streets and will be out of our country soon,\u201d DeSantis said. \u201cFlorida 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\u2019s greatest tool in the fight to enforce immigration law.\u201d<\/p>\n
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said Florida will not harbor criminal aliens who threaten public safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this joint operation with ICE, we located and arrested convicted illegal alien sexual offenders and predators, ensuring they can no longer harm our communities,\u201d Glass said. \u201cIn Florida, strong partnerships are vital to public safety, and our collaboration with ICE provides a model for the rest of the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
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