JUST IN: Ron DeSantis Unveils Results of Landmark Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation in Panama City, Florida

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Governor Ron DeSantis Unveils Results of Landmark Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation

Panama City, Fla. — August 22, 2025

Governor Ron DeSantis today announced the results of Florida’s first-of-its-kind immigration enforcement initiative, the Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation, which has already yielded major successes in the fight against illegal immigration.

The operation, spearheaded by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) in close coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), targeted illegal aliens with criminal records, fugitives, and repeat offenders across eight Panhandle counties.

Key Results of the Operation:

• 45 FHP troopers and 20 federal personnel deployed across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa, Holmes, Bay, Washington, and Jackson counties.

• Nearly 200 illegal aliens apprehended.

• 37 arrests of individuals who previously received final orders of removal but failed to appear in court.

• Eight repeat border crossers apprehended, including one individual deported four separate times—now facing federal charges.

“Florida continues to deliver on its mandate to secure our communities,” said Governor DeSantis. “The Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation has apprehended hundreds of illegal aliens—including fugitives and repeat offenders. We are protecting Floridians by ensuring those who break our laws are held accountable.”

Public Safety Threats Highlighted

Florida officials reported multiple incidents where illegal aliens attempted to flee, resist arrest, and assault officers, underscoring what DeSantis called “the growing danger posed by criminal illegal aliens.”

Dave Kerner, Executive Director of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, praised the unprecedented results:

“The FHP Immigration Enforcement Unit has demonstrated historic success in apprehending illegal aliens. Working alongside our federal partners, we are setting a new national standard for tackling the immigration crisis.”

Weekly Deportation Flights from Tallahassee

As part of Florida’s expanded enforcement efforts, Governor DeSantis also confirmed that the state has launched weekly deportation flights out of Tallahassee in partnership with ICE and the U.S. Coast Guard. The first flight, departing last week, carried 20 illegal aliens back to their home countries.

“This operation sends a clear message,” DeSantis emphasized. “Florida will not tolerate lawlessness. We will use every available resource to remove those who seek to exploit our state and endanger our people.”

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FAQs on Florida’s Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation

Q1. What is the Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation?
The Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation is Florida’s first-of-its-kind immigration enforcement effort, led by the Florida Highway Patrol in coordination with federal agencies such as ICE, HSI, Border Patrol, and USCIS. It focuses on apprehending illegal aliens with criminal records, fugitives, and repeat immigration violators.

Q2. How many illegal aliens were apprehended in the operation?
Nearly 200 illegal aliens were apprehended across eight Panhandle counties, including fugitives with criminal histories and repeat unlawful border crossers.

Q3. Which counties in Florida were targeted during this operation?
The operation took place across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa, Holmes, Bay, Washington, and Jackson counties in Florida’s Panhandle.

Q4. What types of offenders were arrested during the operation?
Authorities arrested 37 individuals who had received final deportation orders but failed to appear in court, as well as eight repeat border crossers, one of whom had been deported four times and illegally reentered the United States.

Q5. Did the operation involve federal charges?
Yes. Several individuals, including those who had been deported multiple times and illegally reentered the U.S., are now facing federal charges.

Q6. What safety concerns did Florida officials highlight during the operation?
Florida officials reported that illegal aliens resisted arrest, fled law enforcement, and in some cases, physically assaulted officers, underscoring the heightened danger posed by criminal offenders.

Q7. How is Florida handling deportations following the operation?
Governor Ron DeSantis announced weekly deportation flights out of Tallahassee, organized in partnership with ICE and the U.S. Coast Guard. The first flight carried 20 illegal aliens back to their home countries.

Q8. What message does Governor DeSantis want to send with this operation?
Governor DeSantis emphasized that Florida will not tolerate lawlessness, stating the state will use every available resource to protect its citizens and remove those who pose a threat.