Florida authorities announced that a three-day immigration enforcement effort called “Operation 9” resulted in the arrest of 249 people identified as being in the United States illegally. The operation involved cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies and reflected Florida’s growing participation in immigration enforcement initiatives.
According to reports, personnel from the Florida Highway Patrol worked alongside agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, and several other agencies. Those detained were processed before being transferred to ICE custody.
Officials stated that many of those arrested lacked documentation that would allow authorities to verify their identities. Lt. Ramin Sulaiman of the Florida Highway Patrol’s Immigration Enforcement Section said Florida has experienced significant migration increases in recent years, adding that some individuals remain outside official tracking systems.
Authorities said numerous arrests began with routine traffic stops that later revealed immigration-related concerns. State officials argue that Florida has become one of the federal government’s most active partners in enforcing immigration laws.
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner said nearly 10,500 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended statewide since March 2025. Trooper Tony Golden, who works commercial vehicle enforcement in the Panhandle, said he believes the number of undocumented migrants in the state is much larger than public estimates suggest.
Law enforcement officials rejected accusations of racial profiling, emphasizing that officers were enforcing existing laws rather than targeting people based on ethnicity.
During the operation, detainees were transported to processing centers where they were searched, documented, and prepared for transfer to federal authorities. Officials also said some individuals may choose voluntary departure options or remain in custody while awaiting immigration proceedings.
