A coordinated law enforcement operation in Florida led by U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Marathon Station, along with support from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Key West Police Department, and the Florida Department of Corrections, resulted in the arrest of seven undocumented migrants in the Florida Keys on March 21, all of whom have extensive criminal records, federal authorities announced.
The operation was part of a targeted public safety initiative aimed at identifying and detaining individuals deemed threats to the local community due to their prior felony convictions.
Highlights from the arrests include:
- A Cuban national with a prior conviction for elder abuse
- A Cuban national previously convicted of trafficking methamphetamine
- A Cuban national with a conviction for trafficking oxycodone
- A Guatemalan national previously convicted of driving under the influence resulting in serious injury
READ: Border Czar Tom Homan: “We Will Not Stop Until We Have Total Operational Control”
All individuals arrested were processed and transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, where they are being held pending removal proceedings.
“No longer will criminal illegal aliens hide in the shadows of bureaucracy,” said Jeffrey Dinise, Chief Patrol Agent of the Miami Border Patrol Sector. “In the State of Florida, we have removed the dividing lines between local, state, and federal jurisdictions—standing united as law enforcement officers to safeguard our communities and protect our nation.”
This latest action follows an earlier operation in March 2025, when Border Patrol, ICE, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested 10 undocumented migrants, all of whom were previously convicted sex offenders, also in the Florida Keys.
READ: Illegal Ugandan Alien Arrested By ICE In Massachusetts After Assault On Pregnant Woman
These ongoing efforts signal an increasingly aggressive posture by federal and state authorities in targeting criminal noncitizens, especially in coastal regions known for illicit maritime migration routes.
The Miami Sector Border Patrol has encouraged public cooperation and emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining public safety.
“I am proud of our dedicated Border Patrol agents and law enforcement partners, who are committed to public safety and our border security mission,” Dinise added.
The Border Patrol urges Florida residents to report suspicious activity or information related to border security by calling 1-877-772-8146.
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