State and Federal Agents Arrest 15 During Immigration Enforcement Operation in Key Largo

By Staff Reporter

iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published March 12th, 2026

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15 Arrested in Immigration Enforcement Operation in Key Largo, Authorities Say

KEY LARGO, Fla. — Fifteen people who authorities say were in the United States illegally and had prior criminal histories were arrested during a targeted enforcement operation in the Florida Keys earlier this week.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the arrests happened March 9, 2026, when members of the agency’s Criminal Alien Apprehension Team (CAAT) teamed up with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents as part of Operation Tidal Wave in Key Largo.

Officials say the individuals taken into custody are originally from Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and Guatemala.

Authorities say all 15 had prior criminal histories, with charges and convictions that included battery and domestic violence, drug possession, burglary, home invasion, failure to appear in court, and weapons offenses. Some also had prior deportations on record, according to investigators.

Photo provided to iSkyNews.com by FHP

Florida officials say operations like this focus on locating individuals who are both in the country illegally and have criminal records.

“The Florida Highway Patrol leads in the apprehension and arrest of criminal illegal aliens who have committed violent crimes here or abroad,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Our Criminal Alien Apprehension Team and federal partners are carrying out targeted operations designed to remove dangerous offenders from our communities.”

Federal officials also emphasized the importance of cooperation between agencies during these types of operations.

“Border security requires coordination across multiple agencies,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Samuel Briggs of CBP’s Miami Sector. “Our partnership with state and local agencies helps us respond quickly, protect communities, and maintain the security of our nation’s borders.”

Officials say the arrests are part of Florida’s ongoing effort to work with federal authorities to identify individuals involved in criminal activity who are also violating immigration laws.

Since March 2025, the Florida Highway Patrol says it has apprehended more than 9,000 individuals who were in the country illegally under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287(g) program, including more than 1,600 people with prior criminal histories.

Authorities say operations like Operation Tidal Wave will continue as state and federal partners work to remove repeat offenders and address public safety concerns across Florida.

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