In a recent immigration enforcement operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended 32 individuals with prior criminal convictions in Palm Beach County, Florida, the same county where former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence is located. The operation, conducted on January 27th and 28th, targeted individuals with a history of offenses ranging from drug-related charges and prostitution to robbery, fraud, and driving under the influence.
The individuals apprehended represent a diverse range of nationalities, including citizens of Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Cuba, and Nicaragua. ICE, working in conjunction with U.S. Border Patrol, emphasized the targeted nature of these operations. While the agency refrained from disclosing the identities of those arrested, they provided examples of some of the convictions, including a Venezuelan national convicted of drug possession, robbery, and resisting arrest, a Haitian national convicted of battery, drug possession, and prostitution, a Cuban national convicted of credit card fraud and larceny, and a Guatemalan national convicted of cocaine possession and DUI.
All those detained will remain in custody pending deportation proceedings or a hearing before an immigration judge. This operation aligns with a broader trend of increased immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration, with thousands of arrests since the start of his second term. These enforcement activities have included raids on residences, workplaces, and other locations, coupled with a rise in deportations, including the transfer of some individuals to Guantánamo Bay.
Beyond Palm Beach County, ICE has confirmed ongoing enhanced enforcement operations in Chicago and New York, with routine operations continuing nationwide. The agency stated its commitment to a collaborative approach, partnering with agencies like the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Marshals Service to target individuals with criminal records who lack legal grounds to remain in the United States.
