Overview
- The 10-day ICE operation, officially called Operation Criminal Return and launched Oct. 25, focused on criminal noncitizens across Florida.
- DHS said those taken into custody include alleged child predators and violent offenders with convictions such as sexual assault of minors, rape, child exploitation, battery and attempted homicide.
- Secretary Kristi Noem referred to the effort as “Operation Dirtbag” and said the approach with Gov. Ron DeSantis is a model DHS intends to replicate nationwide.
- State and local law enforcement assisted the arrests, and DHS noted detainees include nationals of countries such as Cuba, Venezuela and Ukraine.
- DHS signaled continued resource surges to other jurisdictions, citing Chicago’s Operation Midway Blitz and claiming declines in homicides, shootings and robberies since that effort began.