21 illegal aliens arrested in Bay, Leon County targeted operation

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement joined the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies held a joint press conference May 16 to announce the results of a two-day joint-agency operation that resulted in the arrest of 21 illegal aliens.

The operation with BCSO, ICE Homeland Security Investigations Panama City, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Miami-Tallahassee field office, the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Panama City Beach Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Panama City Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, mainly targeted those who overstayed a visa. During the operation, 18 were arrested in Bay County, and three in Leon County, Florida. Those arrested were from India, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guatemala, and Jamaica. Most illegal aliens arrested overstayed temporary visas for tourism and recreation.

“These people came on legit visas and abused that, which takes away from other people trying to obtain these visas. It’s also a federal crime to enter illegally, and a federal crime to overstay and set up residence when these visas expire,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “You can see a group of great people here that have gotten together to meet Sheriff Ford’s priorities, to meet the (Florida) governor’s priorities, and to meet the White House priorities.”

“Our partnership with ICE strengthens our efforts to keep Bay County safe,” said Sheriff Tommy Ford. “By working alongside federal, state, and local agencies, we’re better equipped to address illegal immigration tied to criminal activity. We look forward to expanding this cooperation through the 287(g) Task Force and Warrant Service Officer programs, giving us more tools to protect our community”

Four of the illegal aliens arrested entered the United States without inspection by a U.S. immigration official and one has been charged with felony illegal reentry after being previously removed. Sixteen of the illegal aliens arrested entered the county legally under a work, travel, or other visa program with a date assigned to leave the country, but they remained after the expiration date, violating the terms of their visa. Overstaying a visa is an abuse of the immigration system and a violation of federal law.

Ingegno pointed out the importance of removing people who abused the visa system by reminding everyone, “if you remember, a majority of the hijackers on 9/11 were visa overstays. This means the United States let them into the country and they did not leave when they were supposed to. Then they murdered 3,000 Americans.”

According to Ford, since Jan. 1, 2025, 178 illegal aliens have been arrested by Bay County law enforcement and had ICE detainers placed on them.

ICE officials have continually emphasized the agency’s continued focus to identifying public safety and national security threats. Individuals unlawfully present in the United States who are encountered during enforcement operations may be taken into custody and processed for removal in accordance with federal law.

Members of the public with information about suspected immigration violations or related criminal activity are encouraged to contact the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submit information online via the ICE Tip Form.

For more information about ICE HSI Tampa and ICE ERO Miami and their efforts to enhance public safety in Florida, follow them on X at @HSITampa and ERO Miami.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)