st. Augustine, Fla. – Local jurisdictions are responding to the Trump administration's call to arrest illegal immigrants by working closely with federal immigration authorities to make arrests.
Fox News Digital observed the collaboration in person by accompanying the St. John's County Sheriff's Office (SJSO) in Florida during the operation. The county's task force will work with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Border Patrol agents and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) to arrest illegal immigrants and dismantle human smuggling and sexual personnel operations.
The SJSO Task Force is led by a Sergeant. Bobby Kukar is made up of approximately 20-25 local, state and federal law enforcement officers who carry out weekly activities along the 95 interstate corridors.
At the start of the surgery, Sheriff Robert Hardwick emphasized the need for officers to have a probable cause before carrying out a traffic stop. SJSO Lt. Jessica Hines repeated the sheriff's comments, explaining that it could create a lawsuit against alleged illegal immigration.
Florida Sheriffs say ice partnerships are the only beginning of the crackdown on illegal immigration
Sergeant Bobby Cukar will drive across Interstate 95 on Monday, February 24, 2025 as part of a group of local and federal law enforcement agencies working together to arrest illegal immigrants in St. John's County, Florida. (Fox News Digital's Stephanie Keith)
A task force consisting of local and federal law enforcement agencies searched a vehicle suspected of illegal immigrants in St. John's County, Florida on Monday, February 24, 2025, after a traffic stop. (Fox News Digital's Stephanie Keith)
In one instance, the task force arrested two suspected immigrant brothers from Colombia. They were found to be driving without a driver's license, being pulled by a task force member for speeding along I-95.
When officers stopped the duo, they suspected that the individual was an illegal immigrant after not providing valid proof of the document. Matthew Zetz, the chief patrol agent for Border Patrol, arrived on the scene and used the software to confirm illegal status.
Matt Zetts (R) of Border Patrol uses the database to search for the names of two Colombians who were detained on Monday, February 24, 2025. (Fox News Digital's Stephanie Keith)
Throughout conversations with the brothers, authorities suspected the pair could be human trafficking drugs. Fox News Digital observed as authorities began searching for evidence on the vehicle and noticed repeated screw holes on one side that caused suspicion.
“It could indicate that the bumper section has been repeatedly removed and could be a potential hold for illegal drugs across borders,” Kukar explained.
Florida Sheriff Asks Trump's Ice to remove Biden-era “shackle”
SJSO K-9 handler Rob Hill arrived and the trained dog immediately responded to the presence of the drug. The department seized the vehicle for further inspection.
The brothers were placed under ice detention and taken to their field office in Jacksonville, Florida.
Close-up of the Federal Agent patch for the Customs and Border Patrol at I-95, I-95, St. John's County, Florida, on Monday, February 24, 2025. (Fox News Digital's Stephanie Keith)
The situation in St. John's County offers a glimpse into how local governments partner with federal officials as the White House has pledged to curb illegal immigration.
Hardwick previously shared it with Fox News Digital. Under his leadership, the county has launched a task force and prioritizes public safety by working closely with immigration authorities. The Sheriff's Office has been running the task force for over a year, amplifying operations after President Trump's election.
St. John's is part of a 287(g) program that allows ICE to delegate certain immigration functions to state and local law enforcement officials, including ICE identifying and detaining allegedly illegal immigrants.
Watch: Sheriff Hardwick on Immigration
He shared it on Friday at 2pm, and they meet with federal, state and local partners to discuss the worst criminal aliens. I wanted it in Florida Or just nearby.
Click here to get the Fox News app
“And in Florida, whether you're an illegal alien or a US citizen, we're going to hunt you down to find you and hold you accountable for your actions,” he said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Ice and DHS for comment.
