The multi-agency operation led to the arrest of illegal immigrants from at least seven countries.
A day after a top White House aide said the Trump administration wanted to increase illegal immigrant arrests to 3,000 per day, more than 100 illegal aliens working at Florida construction sites were taken into custody.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended the foreign nationals during a targeted enforcement operation at building sites in Tallahassee on May 29, according to an ICE Homeland Security Investigations news release.
The multi-agency operation led to the arrest of illegal immigrants from at least seven countries, including Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, and Honduras.
One illegal immigrant was charged with four counts of assault on law enforcement officers. Another attempted to pull a weapon on officers, according to ICE.
“These types of enforcement actions aim to eliminate illegal employment, holding employers accountable and protecting employment opportunities for America’s lawful workforce,” stated ICE Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller told Fox News’s “Hannity” on May 28 that the White House was setting a goal for ICE to arrest at least 3,000 illegal immigrants per day, far above the 1,000 per day arrest quota set earlier.
ICE officials emphasized the agency’s continued focus on identifying public safety and national security threats, but said in the release that those unlawfully present in the country who are encountered during enforcement operations may also be taken into custody and deported.
A senior Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email that the agency is enforcing immigration law, unlike under the previous administration.
“[President Joe] Biden ignored this legal fact and chose to release millions of illegal aliens, including violent criminals, into the country with a notice to appear before an immigration judge,” the spokesperson said.
Most illegal immigrants who entered the country over the past two years are subject to expedited removal, the spokesman said.
“ICE is now following the law and placing these illegal aliens in expedited removal, as they always should have been,” he said.
“If they have a valid, credible fear claim, they will continue in immigration proceedings, but if no valid claim is found, aliens will be subject to a swift deportation.”
