Melissa E. Holsman

melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com

Federal agents arrested 76 people across Florida and Puerto Rico during a removal enforcement action that targeted individuals who “pose a threat to public safety” according to a news release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ICE arrested 20 people in Martin County — the highest amount in one county — during a four-day operation April 18-21 across Florida.

Federal immigration officials reached Wednesday declined to discuss the targeted enforcement, but records show bulk arrests of individuals identified with criminal records has happened routinely across the United States, including before President Donald Trump’s administration called for increased action against people in the country illegally.

Of those arrested during the enforcement roundup, 57 had criminal records that included convictions for felonies including lewd and lascivious behavior, sexual battery, child sex crimes, weapons charges and drug violations. Nineteen others had less serious violations, such as driving with no driver’s license, DUI, larceny, petty theft and fraud.

"ICE is committed to making our communities safer by removing threats to our public safety," said Marc J. Moore, field office director for the Miami Field Office of Enforcement Removal Operations, in a prepared statement. “Communities across Florida and Puerto Rico are safer today because of the hard work of our (Enforcement and Removal Operations) officers.”

The roundup occurred without help from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Christine Christofek.

“ICE did not inform us that these arrests would be taking place, nor did they request our assistance in the operation,” Christofek said in an email. “We have no information to provide ... about who the individuals were or where they were when they were taken into custody.”

According to immigration and customs officials, other arrests in Florida included 16 people in Broward County, 16 in Miami-Dade and 11 in Orange County. Three people were detained in Puerto Rico.

Those arrested who have outstanding deportation orders, or who returned to the United States illegally after being deported, are subject to immediate removal from the country, according to a news release.

All others are in ICE custody waiting to appear before an immigration judge. During the past year, the agency conducted 240,255 removals nationwide, records show.