ICE Tampa conducts worksite enforcement at rapidly expanding community, arrests 33 illegal aliens

WILDWOOD, Fla. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with the support of the Florida Highway Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Prison’s Coleman Federal Correctional Complex, and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 33 illegal aliens May 13 during a targeted worksite enforcement operation at construction sites in one of the fastest growing communities in the nation located 20 miles south of Ocala.

The multiagency operation, directed by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Tampa, led to the arrest of 33 illegal aliens from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Four are charged with felony reentry after being previous removed from the United States. During the operation, more than 360 individuals were interviewed. As federal officers encountered construction workers, more than 30 could be seen fleeing from the construction sites.

“Worksite enforcement investigations are integral to uncovering many crimes, including unauthorized employment, document fraud, human smuggling, and sometimes human trafficking,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Micah C. McCombs. “Following the president’s executive order, HSI Tampa will continue enforcing the immigration laws throughout the state of Florida to the fullest extent of the law.”

“State Troopers are proud to support ICE-HSI in their immigration enforcement efforts, and participate in all aspects of immigration enforcement operations,” said Florida Highway Patrol Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Florida Highway Patrol is committed to leading state efforts to enforce federal immigration law and ensuring Governor DeSantis’ immigration enforcement directives are faithfully executed.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this central Florida region’s population rose nearly five percent to 151,565, making it the nation’s fastest-growing metro area from 2022 to 2023.

The main function of HSI’s worksite enforcement program is to assist the field in maintaining the integrity in the U.S. immigration system, ease pressure at the borders, promote self-compliance in the business community, and protect employment opportunities for the nation's workforce.

HSI conducts investigations that target egregious worksite violators. These investigations lead to criminal, civil, or administrative judgments against employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers. These actions seek to deter employers who hire unauthorized workers. Investigations often uncover multiple forms of criminal activity, such as human smuggling, document fraud, human rights abuses and other violations linked to the employment of unauthorized workers.

ICE officials have continually emphasized the agency’s continued focus to identifying public safety and national security threats. Individuals unlawfully present in the United States who are encountered during enforcement operations may be taken into custody and processed for removal in accordance with federal law.

Members of the public with information about suspected immigration violations or related criminal activity are encouraged to contact the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submit information online via the ICE Tip Form.

For more information about ICE HSI Tampa and its efforts to enhance public safety in Florida, follow us on X at @HSITampa.

Learn more about worksite enforcement by visiting ICE’s Worksite Enforcement Investigations.