Coordinated, multi-agency immigration enforcement arrests 500 unlawfully present in US

According to ICE.GOV, a focused and concentrated, multi-agency immigration enforcement surge in the Fort Myers area of Southwest Florida resulted in the arrest of 500 individuals unlawfully present in the United States. The coordinated four-day operation took place from August 24 through August 27, 2026, under an expanded focus on interior enforcement.

Five federal, state, and local agencies worked together: Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida National Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The official statements from ICE note the sweeps targeted repeat immigration violators, individuals with final orders of removal, and undocumented immigrants with criminal records. High-profile arrests included: A Haitian national wanted on charges associated with premeditated murder, a Honduran national accused of molesting two children, a suspected Mexican cartel member, and a Guatemalan national who allegedly attempted to assault an officer with a Taser during his arrest.

The large-scale operations sparked heavily mixed reactions along the Gulf Coast. Supporters praised the multi-agency coordination as a necessary step to uphold federal statutory laws and ensure public safety. Conversely, immigrant advocacy groups and local community members voiced concerns over transparency, the heavily armed visibility of agents, and the potential disruption to local families.

The Luminary Hotel Demonstration: On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, dozens of protesters gathered in downtown Fort Myers outside the Luminary Hotel. The rally, organized with support from advocacy groups like Unidos, was sparked by reports that ICE agents were staging their operations and staying out of local hotels. Protesters voiced concerns over racial profiling and the separation of hardworking community members from their families.

Protests continued into the following week. On September 7, 2026 (Labor Day), community members held early morning demonstrations at key intersections in Fort Myers to demand an end to local immigration sweeps.

While community activists protested, Florida’s top elected officials heavily supported and coordinated the sweep. According to WFIN in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis publicly lauded the operation, stating that "Florida continues to demonstrate how to turn important policy into meaningful action" and calling Florida the "most proactive and effective state" in supporting federal immigration enforcement.