DAVIE, Fla. — Law enforcement in Florida is ramping up efforts to capture illegal immigrants along the state’s highways through a coordinated initiative. This month, FOX News Digital partnered with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to launch Operation 9, the largest collaboration to date.
Over a three-day period, FHP worked alongside several federal, state, and local agencies. After the operation, 249 illegal immigrants were detained, processed, and handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Many of those apprehended were described as “ghosts,” or individuals with no identifiable records, by Lt. Ramin Sulaiman, the deputy commander of FHP’s Immigration Enforcement Division. He noted this lack of accountability for many detainees during their routine patrols across Florida’s highways.
Sulaiman remarked that more than a million immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally under the Biden administration claimed they intended to go to Florida and were subsequently released. He emphasized that this statistic doesn’t fully capture the number of undocumented individuals who remain unaccounted for in the state.
According to Dave Kerner, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, officers have encountered over 10,476 illegal immigrants since March 2025. During day-to-day traffic stops, it’s common to find many drivers without a valid license, raising questions about their residency status.
Trooper Tony Golden, who typically monitors commercial vehicles, indicated that the presence of illegal immigrants in Florida is substantial. He acknowledged that the topic of immigration stirs strong feelings, even among law enforcement. Golden insisted that their role is to enforce the law fairly without bias or targeting specific groups based on appearance.
The situation highlights concerns that some undocumented residents, including individuals with criminal backgrounds, are interwoven into local communities. Golden pointed out that the absence of visible violations doesn’t always signify safe or responsible behavior.
During Operation 9, over 100 officers, including those from ICE and U.S. Border Patrol, gathered at an FHP base before dawn. This marked the ninth such operation in recent months, with each collaboration becoming more streamlined and effective.
As part of the operation, officers transported handcuffed detainees to a facility where they were processed and provided essentials before making arrangements for their potential return home.
Iglesias, an ICE public affairs officer, explained that detainees might choose to go back home on a designated flight or wait for further immigration proceedings. Depending on circumstances, they may leave with some cash upon return.
Sulaiman, who hails from Afghanistan, expressed that there’s a process in place for immigration, and everyone should follow it. Yet, there’s a recognition among some officers of the complexities and emotions surrounding the immigrants’ desire to be in the U.S. One officer even admitted feeling sympathy for those he had to arrest.
Ultimately, the officers remained resolute in their mission to uphold the law. Sulaiman stated that they treat every individual with respect, even in challenging encounters.
On the operation’s second day, officers pulled over a pickup truck for speeding and discovered that the driver, lacking a license, had been in the U.S. for six years. This raised further inquiries about his passengers, one of whom had been deported long ago.
Golden understands why some might feel compassion for those caught in the web of immigration enforcement but emphasized the importance of following the legal channels to enter the country. He remains deeply concerned about the safety and security implications of undocumented immigration.
Reflecting on his role, Golden, who has been deployed to the border multiple times, articulated a broader concern: the safety of his family, particularly his daughter. For him, this isn’t just a job; it’s about protecting a way of life.
