Florida Officials Announce 'Operation Criminal Return' Targeting Illegal Immigrants

Operation Criminal Return: A Joint Enforcement Effort

• 🎯 Operation Criminal Return, also referred to as 'Operation Dirt Bag,' is a joint initiative by ICE and Florida law enforcement to remove criminal illegal aliens and sex offenders from Florida communities.
• 🤝 The operation highlights the success of partnerships, particularly through the ICE 287G program, which grants local officers immigration authority to protect communities and uphold the rule of law.
• 🗣️ Key leaders involved include Deputy Director Madison Shehan (ICE), Executive Director Anthony Coker (State Board of Immigration Enforcement), Commissioner Mark Glass (FDLE), and Director Melissa Buha (FDLE).

Scope and Success of the Operation

• ⚡ In just 10 days, over 230 heinous criminals were removed from Florida's streets in partnership with the state.
• 🚨 The removals included 54 sexual predators, 164 offenders of sexual crimes, two convicted murderers, one convicted of drug trafficking, and eight other individuals with felony convictions.
• 🇺🇸 Florida is presented as a model for the nation in federal-state cooperation for immigration enforcement, with over 335 287G agreements in place.

Focus on Protecting Children and Communities

• 👶 Law enforcement's primary duty is to protect the most vulnerable, specifically children, from criminal illegal aliens.
• ⚠️ The operation specifically targeted individuals who have attacked children in the communities, emphasizing the severity of these crimes.
• ⚖️ Officials stressed that these individuals have already gone through state legal proceedings and deportation processes, but were allowed to remain due to previous administrations' policies.

The Role of 287G and Future Enforcement

• 📜 The 287G program is crucial, enabling local law enforcement to work with federal authorities on immigration enforcement.
• 🗺️ Florida's