Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem is celebrating a major enforcement victory in Florida after federal agents arrested more than 230 criminal illegal aliens, most of whom were predators convicted or wanted for abhorrent crimes against children.
Speaking Tuesday in an interview with Fox News, Noem detailed the success of Operation Criminal Return, which she referred to as “Operation Dirtbag.”
The DHS later shared a clip of the interview on X.
“These individuals were sex offenders, but not just sex offenders — they targeted children,” Noem said.
“These individuals should’ve never been in our country to begin with, and the fact that they were sexual deviants and perverts and now we’ve gotten them off of our streets.
“It’s remarkable, and we need to do more of it,” she added.
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According to DHS, over 150 of the individuals arrested during the operation were sexual predators, many of whom had previously targeted minors.
The department’s post on X listed some of the crimes committed by those arrested.
The crimes include attempted premeditated murder with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation of children, possession of narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling.
Noem credited the success of the operation to strong cooperation between federal immigration officers and state law enforcement officials in Florida.
“Our kids will be safer,” Noem said.
“And this partnership with Governor DeSantis in Florida is a model that we want to replicate across the country.”
The secretary emphasized that Operation Dirtbag is part of a broader national initiative to “clean up our cities and remove illegal aliens” with criminal histories from U.S. communities.
“It’s remarkable, and we need to do more of it,” she said.
Officials said the operation will serve as a blueprint for future coordinated efforts between DHS and state governments aimed at targeting violent offenders who entered the country illegally.
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