Overview
- The ICE-led effort is officially called Operation Criminal Return, which Secretary Kristi Noem referred to as “Operation Dirtbag.”
- DHS reported more than 230 noncitizens with criminal records were taken into custody in Florida, including over 150 identified as sex offenders, many with prior convictions involving children.
- Officials listed offenses that included sexual assault, lewd and lascivious acts involving minors, aggravated battery, burglary, drug crimes and attempted premeditated murder.
- DHS publicly named several detainees and their past convictions, including David Caridad-Rodan, Oscar Alfredo Retana Marroquin and Arturo Sanchez Morales.
- Noem credited cooperation with Gov. Ron DeSantis as key to the operation and said DHS is surging resources to other jurisdictions such as Chicago, where the department cites recent crime declines despite opposition from Democratic leaders.