Florida Agencies Capture 249 Migrants in 3-Day Highway Sweep as Roadside Arrests Top 10,476
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 29
Florida Agencies Capture 249 Migrants in 3-Day Highway Sweep as Roadside Arrests Top 10,476
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 29
A three-day Florida operation dubbed Operation 9 ended with 249 immigrants detained on highways, processed and transferred to ICE after officers from six federal, state and local agencies swept South Florida roads.
More than 100 officers joined the May 13 operation in Broward County, where troopers said routine traffic stops—often involving unlicensed drivers—trigger immigration checks and repeated transport runs back to a processing site.
Florida officials say the campaign is expanding and becoming more efficient: the state has run nine similar operations since October, and highway patrol encounters have led to more than 10,476 immigrant arrests since March 2025.
Lt. Ramin Sulaiman said many detainees are "ghosts" with no prior law-enforcement record, tying the sweeps to broader concerns about untracked migrants in a state of 23.5 million residents.
After processing, detainees can accept an arranged return flight or remain in custody for an immigration hearing; ICE said some departures are government-funded and can include cash assistance of up to $2,600.
When local police enforce immigration law, who do crime victims call for help?
As immigration arrests surge, who will fill the jobs in Florida's key industries?