In a powerful display of commitment to law and order, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spearheaded a weeklong operation in Southwest Florida, resulting in the arrest of 500 illegal aliens, many of them hardened criminals with disturbing records. This sweeping enforcement action, a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local agencies, shines a spotlight on the critical need for robust immigration enforcement and exposes the dangerous elements that permeate our communities when borders are left unchecked.
The individuals apprehended represent a chilling cross-section of criminal activity: an illegal alien from Haiti charged with murder; a Honduran accused of molesting children; a suspected member of a Mexican cartel; and a Guatemalan who allegedly attempted to Taser an officer during his arrest. Beyond these heinous offenses, the arrested also face accusations or convictions for crimes including battery, DUI, hit-and-run, domestic violence, illegal drug possession, and repeated re-entry into the U.S. after deportation. These are not merely administrative violations; these are threats to the safety and security of every American.
From August 24 through August 27, ICE agents worked hand-in-hand with the Florida Highway Patrol, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida National Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This multi-agency collaboration underscores Florida's unwavering resolve to protect its citizens.
One of the most disturbing cases involved Whycliff Longin, 28, an illegal alien from Haiti who was in the United States seeking asylum. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Longin on a murder charge after he allegedly broke into a Lehigh Acres home on August 27. Deputies responded to a frantic 911 call from a woman who had fought off an attack before barricading herself in a bedroom. They found Longin fleeing a neighboring residence and took him into custody. Tragically, a second woman was found deceased inside a bedroom, suffering from blunt force trauma, her death later ruled a homicide.
Longin now faces charges of second-degree murder, attempted murder, sexual battery, and burglary with battery, held without bond with an ICE detainer. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno expressed profound sympathy, stating, "My prayers are with the family of the woman who tragically lost her life, and with the survivor who showed incredible strength in fighting to live." This brutal incident starkly illustrates the catastrophic consequences of allowing individuals with criminal intent to remain within our borders.
The operation also successfully targeted high-value threats. ICE agents and Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested a suspected Mexican cartel member, a dangerous individual whose presence here signals a direct assault on national security and public safety. Simultaneously, another Honduran was taken into custody, accused of molesting two children – a horrific crime that should never be tolerated on American soil.
In another encounter, officers apprehended Noe Lux Castro, 24, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala who illegally entered the United States. During his arrest, Castro allegedly wrestled a Taser from a trooper and attempted to use it against the officer. He faces charges of obstructing a law enforcement officer, resisting with violence, and resisting without violence, highlighting the brazen defiance often encountered by our brave officers on the front lines.
The sweep also netted Olmen Noel Vargas-Mendoza, 40, a Honduran illegal alien with a history of domestic violence who had illegally re-entered the U.S. three times. Marlon Rolando Calderon-Castellon, 43, another Honduran, was arrested with a criminal history including battery and illegal drug possession. Carlos Humberto Monzon-Cabrera, 53, from Guatemala, was taken into custody with multiple convictions for driving without a valid license and battery. Hermenegildo Andres-Juan, 52, also from Guatemala, had illegally re-entered the U.S. after a previous deportation and a rap sheet including DUI, resisting arrest, and hit-and-run.
Armando Coc-Yat, 39, a Guatemalan illegal alien, had entered without inspection in 2018 and already had a final order of removal from 2021, along with arrests for DUI and hit-and-run. Rigoberto Vargas-Resendiz, 52, from Mexico, had illegally re-entered the country three times after a 2011 removal order. Daren Ruiz-Mejia, 37, a Venezuelan, also had multiple illegal re-entries and a DUI. Melchor Perez-Garcia, 31, and Samuel Mateo-Francisco, 33, both from Guatemala, were caught after multiple illegal re-entries and various criminal offenses.
Matthew Elliston, the Enforcement and Removals Operations (ERO) Miami interim field office director for ICE, lauded the success, stating, "The continued success of these weeklong operations is a testament to the power of unity and our shared commitment to community safety. Working hand-in-hand with our state and local partners, we have successfully removed more than 500 illegal aliens from our streets, ensuring a safer environment for all." He delivered a clear message: "Those who choose to knowingly flaunt this nation’s immigration laws will face the consequences, and they will be provided a one-way ticket home." This is the kind of decisive action Americans expect and deserve.
Florida stands as a national model in securing its borders and upholding the rule of law. It boasts more deputizations to assist in federal immigration enforcement than any other state, with all 67 county sheriffs and multiple state law enforcement agencies partnering with ICE. This "whole-of-government approach" championed by Governor Ron DeSantis is a blueprint for national security and public safety.
Governor DeSantis affirmed Florida's leadership, stating, "Florida continues to demonstrate how to turn important policy into meaningful action." He declared Florida to be the "most proactive and effective state in identifying, apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants who have intentionally avoided lawful immigration processes and committed horrific crimes within the United States." The Governor's message is unequivocal: "We will not sit idly by and allow Floridians to be victimized. Rather, we are executing on a whole-of-government approach that engages federal, state, and local law enforcement to get the job done and keep Florida safe and free." This operation is a vital step in reclaiming control of our communities, ensuring accountability for those who disrespect our laws, and defending the American way of life against the threats posed by an unchecked border and criminal elements. It's a testament to what can be achieved when leaders prioritize the safety and security of their citizens above all else.
