Ron DeSantis launched one immigration operation that netted results no one saw coming

Ron DeSantis has been fighting the immigration crisis while other governors just talk about it.

He just proved that tough enforcement actually works when you have the guts to do it.

And Ron DeSantis launched one immigration operation that netted results no one saw coming.

Florida Highway Patrol delivers massive immigration enforcement results

The Florida Panhandle just became ground zero for what real immigration enforcement looks like when you stop making excuses.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced Friday that a four-day operation led by the Florida Highway Patrol netted nearly 200 arrests across eight counties.

The Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation deployed 45 FHP troopers working alongside 20 federal personnel from ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

“This week, a first-of-its-kind immigration enforcement operation started in Florida’s Panhandle, led by the Florida Highway Patrol in coordination with federal partners,” DeSantis said during a Friday press conference in Panama City.¹

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1958967875580104723

The operation targeted exactly the kind of people who’ve been gaming the system for years – illegal aliens with criminal records, fugitives, and repeat immigration violators.

Among the nearly 200 people arrested, 37 had previously received final orders of removal but simply ignored them and failed to appear in court.

Eight others had been deported before and illegally reentered the United States – including one individual who had been deported four times.

“These individuals will be federally charged,” DeSantis stated.²

DeSantis shows other states how it’s done

The operation covered Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa, Holmes, Bay, Washington, and Jackson counties.

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner said the FHP Immigration Enforcement Unit has created “an enforcement model that can truly impact the illegal immigration crisis.”³

But this wasn’t just some one-time publicity stunt.

Since March 2025, the Florida Highway Patrol has vetted nearly 4,700 individuals through Homeland Security databases, resulting in 3,600 arrests.

More than 600 of those arrested had prior criminal records.

“The Florida Highway Patrol was the first agency in the entire country to execute a 287(g) agreement with DHS,” DeSantis explained.⁴

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1958986820647317992

That agreement gives state troopers the federal authority to enforce immigration law – something that’s made all the difference in getting real results.

Florida state troopers encountered illegal aliens who fled, resisted arrest, and physically assaulted officers during the operation.

That tells you everything you need to know about who they were dealing with.

Obama judge tries to shut down Florida’s deportation success

The timing of this announcement wasn’t coincidental.

Just hours earlier, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams – an Obama appointee – ordered Florida to shut down its Everglades immigrant detention facility within 60 days.

The facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” has been processing detained illegal immigrants for deportation.

Williams claimed the facility harmed the Everglades and that the state didn’t conduct proper environmental assessments.

DeSantis wasn’t having it.

“We got news last night that we had a judge try to upset the apple cart with respect to our deportation and detainee processing center down in South Florida at Alligator Alcatraz,” DeSantis said.⁵

“This was not something that was unexpected. This judge was not going to give us a fair shake. This was preordained. Very much an activist judge that is trying to do policy from the bench. This is not going to deter us.”

https://twitter.com/JayCollinsFL/status/1958981032159379821

The state has already filed an appeal to Williams’ ruling.

“We knew the minute this judge got the case, we knew exactly what she was going to do,” DeSantis added.⁶

Florida launches weekly deportation flights

DeSantis also announced that Florida has launched weekly deportation flights out of Tallahassee in partnership with ICE and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Last week, the first deportation flight departed with 20 illegal aliens on board.

The governor announced plans for a new 2,000-bed “deportation depot” in Baker County near Jacksonville.

The site’s proximity to an airport will allow for rapid removals in coordination with federal authorities.

Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, a retired Green Beret, said Florida is setting a national standard.

“What you really see is a governor dedicated to getting it right, doing the hard wrong, being willing to stand alone no matter what other people do,” Collins said.⁷

https://twitter.com/DrNealDunnFL2/status/1958953490077626663

What this means for the immigration crisis

Look, this is what happens when you actually decide to enforce immigration law instead of wringing your hands about it.

DeSantis has spent years building the infrastructure and legal framework to make this possible while other Republican governors talked tough but delivered nothing.

The 287(g) agreement with DHS was the game-changer – it gave Florida troopers the federal authority they needed to actually arrest and process illegal immigrants instead of just handing them over to federal agents who might or might not show up.

And you know what? The results speak for themselves.

Nearly 200 arrests in four days isn’t luck – it’s what happens when you commit resources and give law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs.

The Obama judge trying to shut down “Alligator Alcatraz” just proves how desperate the Left is to stop any state from actually solving this problem.

They’d rather protect swampland than protect American citizens from repeat illegal border crossers and criminal aliens.

But here’s the thing – DeSantis isn’t backing down.

He’s already appealing the ruling and opening new facilities.

The weekly deportation flights are already happening.

This operation sends a message to every illegal alien thinking about coming to Florida: you will be caught, you will be processed, and you will be deported.

Other Republican governors should be taking notes because this is how you actually deliver results instead of just delivering press conferences.

“This operation sends a clear and uncompromising message: We will not tolerate lawlessness in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said.⁸

“While some states simply watch and wait, Florida leads.”

And the best part? This is just the beginning.

¹ Governor Ron DeSantis, “Governor DeSantis Announces Results of First-of-Its-Kind Immigration Enforcement Operation,” Florida Governor’s Office, August 22, 2025.

² Ibid.

³ Dave Kerner, “Governor DeSantis Announces Results of First-of-Its-Kind Immigration Enforcement Operation,” Florida Governor’s Office, August 22, 2025.

⁴ Governor Ron DeSantis, “200 arrested in Panhandle immigration crackdown, DeSantis says Florida ‘leads,’” Mid Bay News, August 22, 2025.

⁵ Jay Waagmeester and Jackie Llanos, “Florida continues immigration crackdown despite judge-ordered shutdown of ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’” Florida Phoenix, August 22, 2025.

⁶ Ibid.

⁷ Collin Bestor, “200 arrested in Panhandle immigration crackdown, DeSantis says Florida ‘leads,’” Mid Bay News, August 22, 2025.

⁸ Governor Ron DeSantis, “Governor DeSantis Announces Results of First-of-Its-Kind Immigration Enforcement Operation,” Florida Governor’s Office, August 22, 2025.