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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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Federal immigration agents carried out a weeklong enforcement campaign across central Florida that led to the arrest of more than 400 migrants without legal status, officials say.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump's administration is enacting plans to conduct widespread deportations as part of a hard-line mass removal policy. The White House maintains that anyone living in the country illegally is considered to be a criminal by the federal government. Critics say the raids sow fear into immigrant communities.
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What To Know
The enforcement activity took place from September 22 to September 26, 2025, according to a press release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
"This was another successful operation to arrest the worst of the worst with our Florida state and local partners and can serve as a blueprint nationwide," Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement shared with Newsweek.
Among those arrested was Walther Ramiro Hernandez-Ortiz, an 18-year-old from Honduras, who faces charges including lewd and lascivious behavior, battery, and molestation of a victim under 12 years old, according to ICE.
Juan Carlos Hernandez-Reyes, a 48-year-old Mexican national with a reinstated final order of removal, was also taken into custody. According to ICE, his criminal history includes domestic violence, driving under the influence, battery, disorderly conduct, and prostitution.
Edgar Rivera-Salinas, a 38-year-old from Mexico who had previously been removed from the United States, was detained by ICE. His record includes larceny, theft, and marijuana possession, the agency said.
Efrain Santos-Palacios, a 26-year-old Mexican national who entered the country without inspection, was arrested as well. ICE reported prior charges against him for driving under the influence, hit and run, and driving without a license.
In a separate case, Pedro Juan Andres, 29, from Guatemala, was taken into custody after entering the United States without inspection. He faces charges of resisting arrest with violence and burglary, per an ICE news release.
Authorities also arrested David Dorantes Martinez, a 47-year-old Mexican national with a final order of removal. His record includes domestic violence and battery, according to ICE. The agency said he had previously been granted voluntary departure but failed to leave within the required time.
Ubaldino Hernandez-Hernandez, a 41-year-old from Mexico, was arrested for being unlawfully present in the United States. His criminal history includes arrests for hit and run, repeated incidents of operating a vehicle without a valid license, probation violations, and reckless driving, per ICE.
Aurelio Hernandez-Hernandez, also from Mexico, was taken into custody after entering the country without inspection. ICE said that his record includes driving under the influence and multiple traffic violations.
Mario Suarez-Maya, 47, from Mexico, was arrested following two prior DUI charges, three arrests for driving without a license, and an incident of providing a false name to law enforcement. ICE reported that his immigration bond was canceled due to a change in circumstances following his most recent arrest by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Yoni Mendez-Lopez, 29, a Mexican national, was taken into custody with a record that includes resisting an officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, assault on a law enforcement officer, driving without a valid license, and attempting to flee to elude law enforcement, according to ICE.
The agency said Carlos Roberto Ordonez-Rodriguez, a Honduran national, was arrested due to a criminal history that includes traffic violations across two states.
In addition to ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, law enforcement partners included the Florida Highway Patrol, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida National Guard, and other 287(g) partner agencies.
Florida currently leads the nation in 287(g) agreements, which allow local law enforcement to perform certain immigration enforcement duties, with 327 in total, a 577 % increase since January 2025, according to DHS.
What People Are Saying
"The days of allowing illegal aliens to disregard our laws and pose a threat to our communities, our roads, and our economy are over," ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Miami Field Office Director Garrett Ripa said in a press release. "Many of these individuals illegally remained in Florida and have gone on to wreak havoc in our local neighborhoods. This weeklong joint 287(g) operation focused on targeting those threats to public safety. This successful operation is a testament to the 287(g) program the great partnerships we have here in the state of Florida. Together, we are making Florida safe!"
McLaughlin said in a statement shared with Newsweek: "This operation resulted in the arrest of more than 400 illegal aliens including those charged and convicted of lewd and lascivious behavior, battery, domestic violence, prostitution, vehicle theft, hit and run, and driving under the influence. We are calling on more state and local law enforcement across the U.S. to join us in the fight to remove the worst of the worst from American communities."
What Happens Next
The administration is expected to continue immigration enforcement operations as part of the Republicans' mass deportation plans.
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