The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) announced multiple human smuggling and immigration busts this week as the Sunshine State works to support the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on illegal aliens.
On Thursday, FHP pulled over a cargo van for a traffic violation in Sumter County.
During the stop, troopers discovered the driver was in the U.S. illegally.
Additionally, two passengers in the vehicle were found to be previously-deported illegal aliens who were being smuggling into Florida.
The driver was charged with No Valid License and two counts of Smuggling Illegal Individuals into the State, and the passengers each charged with one count of Illegal Reentry of an Unauthorized Alien.
“Welcome back—just kidding. Florida’s got a new policy thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis: illegal reentry gets you a one-way ticket to jail. Excellent work by Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for keeping our state safe from criminal aliens like these human smugglers,” wrote Larry Keefe, executive director of the Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement.
Welcome back—just kidding. Florida’s got a new policy thanks to @GovRonDeSantis: illegal reentry gets you a one-way ticket to jail. Excellent work by @FLHSMV for keeping our state safe from criminal aliens like these human smugglers. https://t.co/FUMq3vOBeK
— Office of Executive Director Larry Keefe (@FLSBIE) April 3, 2025
On Friday, FHP announced the arrests of more illegal aliens in Leon County.
Troopers pulled over a vehicle for excessive speed and found a suspected Latin Kings gang member at the wheel.
Five passengers in the vehicle were identified as illegals from Honduras and Mexico, and one of the passengers was wanted in St. Louis for DUI with injury.
The suspect gangbanger was arrested for driving without a license and cited for multiple open containers, FHP says.
Your Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Troopers made a traffic stop in Leon County that resulted in immigration enforcement this week. The driver, a suspected Latin Kings gang member, was caught speeding, recklessly endangering the public, and was arrested for driving without a… pic.twitter.com/lFctEw6SKy
— FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) April 4, 2025
Last month, Gov. DeSantis announced more aggressive policies targeting illegal immigration in his state.
🚨 BREAKING – GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS: "It's now a crime to enter Florida illegally. The days of catch and release are over. And all state/local law enforcement agencies have a duty to assist in interior immigration enforcement."
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 4, 2025
"The voters have spoken, and Florida has responded.… pic.twitter.com/06C2hJocqJ
“Thanks to recent legislation, it is now a crime to enter Florida illegally. The days of catch-and-release are over. All state and local law enforcement agencies have a duty to assist with interior immigration enforcement efforts,” DeSantis stated during an address in early March.
“The voters have spoken and Florida has responded. We will be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”