(MIRAMAR, FLORIDA) Federal immigration officials announced a sweeping 10-day enforcement surge in Florida that resulted in the removal of more than 230 undocumented immigrants, highlighting what they called a targeted push against those with serious criminal records. The action, branded Operation Dirtbag, was unveiled Thursday at the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) facility in Miramar, where state and federal leaders said the arrests focused on people described as the “worst of the worst,” including more than 150 individuals arrested for sex crimes and others wanted for offenses such as murder and drug crimes. The announcement stressed that those removed should not have been in the United States 🇺🇸.
Who attended and when
The rollout drew top officials to Miramar, including:
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
- ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan
- State Board of Immigration Enforcement Executive Director Anthony Coker
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass
They presented the operation as a public safety effort driven by ICE enforcement teams working with state partners during the 10-day period in November 2025, culminating in the public briefing on November 13, 2025. Officials said every arrest involved people flagged for severe offenses, although they did not publish case-level details.
Focus and scope of Operation Dirtbag
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem referred to the effort as Operation Dirtbag, underscoring its focus on sexual offenders—particularly those accused of targeting children. ICE described the operation’s emphasis as being on individuals either convicted of, or wanted for, violent or predatory crimes.
Key points:
- More than 230 removals over 10 days
- 150+ arrests tied to sex crimes
- Others wanted for murder, drug trafficking, and other felonies
ICE linked the Florida results to a broader Department of Homeland Security surge in multiple states, saying similar tactics were being used elsewhere, including Chicago, Illinois. The agency argues these concentrated removal pushes protect communities by prioritizing individuals with serious criminal backgrounds.
“The operation targeted people already flagged for criminal conduct,” officials said, framing the effort as targeted rather than random.
Details ICE provided — and what it withheld
ICE emphasized totals and categories rather than case-level information. Notable disclosures and omissions:
- Disclosed:
- Total number of arrests and removals (230+)
- Breakdown with 150+ sex-crime arrests
- Stated that those counted as removed had been processed out of the country
- Not disclosed:
- Names or detailed charge sheets
- Demographic breakdowns or immigration-status categories beyond “undocumented immigrants”
- County-by-county arrest counts or locations (homes vs. workplaces)
- How many arrests were transfers from local jails
- How many had prior removal orders or pending appeals
- How many had convictions versus pending charges
Officials said some individuals remained in the pipeline for further action (ongoing detention or court proceedings), but they emphasized that those labeled as removed had already been processed out of the country.
Operational framing and rationale
ICE and Florida officials presented the surge as an example of coordinated, intentional enforcement intended to:
- Prioritize arrest and removal of individuals judged to be highest public safety risks
- Use targeted fieldwork and multi-jurisdictional leads rather than random sweeps
- Send a message that sex offenders and violent offenders will be prioritized for arrest and removal
ICE’s ERO arm, which manages arrests, detention, and removals, said the operation aligned with federal law and court orders.
Broader context and reactions
The Miramar briefing highlighted ongoing debate over handling criminal cases involving noncitizens.
- Supporters argue:
- Focusing on accused or convicted violent offenders protects public safety
- Federal-state cooperation is effective for swift removals
- Critics (not present at the event) commonly call for:
- Greater transparency on arrests and removals
- Case-level disclosures to clarify convictions vs. charges and prosecutorial sequencing
Analysis by VisaVerge.com noted that ICE’s “worst of the worst” messaging is a standard public-relations approach, particularly when emphasizing sexual offenses and alleged threats to children.
National implications and next steps
ICE characterized the Florida surge as part of a nationwide enforcement wave, suggesting the strategy would continue in other states. No timeline was given for future Florida operations.
- The agency said fieldwork over the 10-day period produced the removals but did not specify which counties saw the most activity.
- Officials declined to provide a county-by-county snapshot, noting the surge drew on multiple investigative sources.
For more information
For readers following ICE policy and ERO priorities, the agency maintains public information about its operations and how officers identify individuals with serious criminal records. For more, visit the official page for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Important takeaway: ICE presented Operation Dirtbag as a targeted, multi-agency enforcement effort that yielded 230-plus removals over 10 days, with an emphasis on alleged sex offenders and other serious criminals, while withholding case-level details that critics say would provide needed transparency.
This Article in a Nutshell
Operation Dirtbag was a 10-day ICE enforcement surge in Florida that led to more than 230 removals, including over 150 arrests tied to sex crimes, and others wanted for murder and drug offenses. The November 13, 2025 Miramar briefing featured state and federal leaders who described the effort as targeted at the ‘‘worst of the worst.’’ ICE released aggregate totals but withheld case-level names and charge details. Officials framed the operation as part of a broader national enforcement push and offered no timeline for similar future actions.
