ICE officials tout hundreds of arrests in immigration operation in Florida

ICE officials tout arrests in immigration sweep

Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement held a news conference on Thursday to announce the arrests of hundreds of illegal aliens as part of a 10-day operation across Florida.

MIRAMAR, Fla. - More than 230 people accused of being in the U.S. illegally were arrested as part of a large-scale operation targeting criminal sex offenders, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers announced at a news conference on Thursday. 

The 10-day operation—dubbed "Operation Criminal Return" or "Operation Dirtbag"—was carried out by ICE officials and law enforcement agencies across the state of Florida. 

ICE deputy director Madison Sheahan said the joint effort led to the arrest and removal of hundreds of people—among them were 54 sexual predators, 164 offenders of sexual crimes and two convicted murders. 

"These heinous criminals have gone and attacked children at their most vulnerable state, and law enforcement has stepped up to the plate to remove them from the community," Sheahan said. 

"Anybody who hurts a child in this country should not be allowed to run free," she added. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was scheduled to speak at the news conference but was unable to attend due to "mechanical difficulties" on takeoff, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass.

Watch the full press conference in the player above.