The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has intensified its nationwide deportation push, launching a new wave of operations aimed at restoring safety in U.S. communities and removing criminal illegal aliens.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem recently celebrated one of the department’s largest victories in Florida, describing it as a major step forward for public safety.
During an appearance on Fox News, Noem detailed the agency’s recent multi-agency sweep known officially as “Operation Criminal Return”—but referred to by her as “Operation Dirtbag.”
The coordinated effort led to the arrests of more than 230 illegal aliens with criminal records. Noem said over 150 of those taken into custody were convicted or wanted sex offenders, many of whom had targeted children.
“These individuals were sex offenders, but not just sex offenders—they targeted children,” Noem said, according to The Blaze. “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.”
According to DHS, the operation revealed a disturbing pattern of violent and predatory crimes among those apprehended.
Offenses included attempted premeditated murder with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation of children, drug possession and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling.
Noem credited Florida’s collaboration under Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for helping the operation succeed.
“Our kids will be safer. And this partnership with Governor DeSantis in Florida is a model that we want to replicate across the country,” she said, underscoring the value of state-federal partnerships in enforcing immigration laws.
Noem praised the effectiveness of joint enforcement and said DHS will continue expanding similar efforts across the country.
She described Florida’s results as proof that prioritizing high-risk offenders delivers measurable safety improvements for families and communities.
Federal officials under the Trump administration have since broadened these deportation operations beyond Florida, extending targeted enforcement to multiple sanctuary cities and border regions.
Noem said the early outcomes demonstrate how restoring law and order to immigration policy has an immediate and visible impact on public safety, particularly in neighborhoods most affected by violent offenders.
Although she did not specify which states are next, Noem confirmed that DHS has been quietly deploying additional agents to reinforce local operations in several major metropolitan areas.
The secretary emphasized that her department’s priority remains clear—locating and removing violent offenders and known predators before they can harm others.
Opponents of strong border enforcement continue to voice objections, but Noem insisted that the administration’s actions reflect both the law and public sentiment.
“We are enforcing the laws that already exist,” she said. “We’re protecting families, protecting kids, and making sure our neighborhoods are safe again.”
As the Trump administration’s immigration agenda is reestablished nationwide, Operation Dirtbag stands as an example of what coordinated federal and state efforts can achieve.
With more than 230 arrests in Florida alone, Noem said DHS intends to build on that momentum and continue these operations until every community feels the difference.
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