Central Florida — A weeklong immigration enforcement operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with support from state and local law enforcement, resulted in the detention of more than 400 illegal immigrants. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), many of those arrested had prior convictions for serious crimes, including sex offenses, domestic violence, drug trafficking, and vehicular assaults.
Details of the Operation
The late-September operation targeted criminal aliens across Central Florida. ICE partnered with law enforcement agencies operating under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants local officers limited immigration enforcement authority.
Participating agencies included:
- Florida Highway Patrol
- Polk County Sheriff’s Office
- Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
- Florida National Guard
Florida currently leads the nation in active 287(g) partnership agreements with ICE. Of the 1,036 agreements nationwide, 327 are in Florida. This program allows local officers to identify and process removable immigrants, issue administrative warrants in state jails, and assist in ICE task forces.
By contrast, sanctuary states such as California, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, New Jersey, and several others restrict cooperation with ICE, limiting federal enforcement efforts.
Notable Arrests
DHS highlighted several arrests of repeat offenders, including:
- Walther Ramiro Hernandez-Ortiz (Honduras): arrested for lewd and lascivious behavior and battery.
- Juan Carlos Hernandez-Reyes (Mexico): convicted of domestic violence and prostitution, with prior arrests for battery and disorderly conduct.
- Edgar Rivera-Salinas (Mexico): convicted of vehicle theft, drug possession, flight to avoid prosecution, and illegal entry.
- Efrain Santos-Palacios (Mexico): arrested for DUI and hit-and-run.
- Ubaldino Hernandez-Hernandez (Mexico): multiple charges including reckless driving, hit-and-run, unlicensed operation, and probation violation.
- Yoni Mendez-Lopez (Mexico): charged with DUI, resisting arrest, battery and assault on a law enforcement officer, and fleeing police.
DHS Statement
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin praised the coordinated effort, stating:
“This was another successful operation to arrest the worst of the worst with our Florida state and local partners, and it can serve as a blueprint nationwide. The operation led to the arrest of more than 400 illegal aliens, including those convicted of battery, domestic violence, prostitution, vehicle theft, and DUI.”
