ICE Arrests 500 in Fort Myers: What It Means for Removal Proceedings
What if someone you know was swept up in a weeklong ICE operation — and you have no idea what happens next? Between August 24 and 27, 2026, ICE and multiple Florida law enforcement agencies arrested 500 people in Fort Myers in one of the largest local enforcement actions this year. For anyone in Florida with an open immigration case or a prior order of removal, the stakes just got very real.
What happened in Fort Myers
ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Miami office ran a weeklong sweep in Fort Myers, Florida, from August 24 to 27, 2026. The operation involved the Florida Highway Patrol, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Florida National Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other state and local agencies. In total, 500 people were arrested. ICE described those arrested as people with final orders of removal (a judge's ruling that someone must leave the US), repeat immigration violators, and individuals with criminal histories.
The operation ran under the federal 287(g) program, which allows state and local law enforcement officers to perform some immigration enforcement duties alongside ICE. Florida has more 287(g) deputizations than any other state — all 67 county sheriffs participate. ERO Miami interim Field Office Director Matthew Elliston said the program acts as a "force multiplier" by adding local knowledge and resources to federal enforcement. Governor Ron DeSantis called Florida's model "the most proactive and effective" in the country for identifying and deporting people who have avoided immigration processes.
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Why this matters beyond Fort Myers
Operations like this one signal an enforcement environment where having a final order of removal — even an old one — puts a person at immediate risk of arrest. ICE specifically targets people with those orders first. If you or a family member has ever received a removal order from an immigration judge, that order does not expire. ICE can act on it at any time. The 287(g) program also means local police and sheriff's deputies in Florida can flag immigration status during routine stops or arrests, not just federal agents.
What to do
- If you have a final order of removal, talk to an immigration lawyer immediately. Lawyers may be able to file a Motion to Reopen your case (deadline: 90 days from the original order) or explore other relief — but only if the deadline has not passed.
- Know your rights during an ICE encounter: you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or country of birth.
- If a family member is detained, call an immigration attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can check whether a bond hearing (a court hearing to request release from detention) is available and file for a Stay of Deportation using Form I-246, which currently costs $155.
- If you live in a county with a 287(g) agreement — which in Florida means all 67 counties — understand that any contact with local law enforcement can trigger an immigration check. Avoid situations that could lead to arrest, and keep documentation of your immigration status accessible to a trusted person.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
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Anyone with a final order of removal in Florida is at high risk right now. The 90-day deadline to file a Motion to Reopen is jurisdictional — miss it, and most courts will not hear the case. If that window has already closed, an attorney can still evaluate whether an emergency Stay of Deportation on Form I-246 ($155 filing fee) or a claim of changed country conditions could provide temporary protection. Do not try to handle a removal order without legal help — consult an immigration attorney before ICE comes to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a final order of removal, and does it ever expire?
A final order of removal is a ruling by an immigration judge that you must leave the United States. It does not expire. ICE can arrest and deport you based on that order at any time, even years later.
What is the 287(g) program, and how does it affect me in Florida?
The 287(g) program lets local and state law enforcement officers perform some immigration enforcement duties alongside ICE. In Florida, all 67 county sheriffs participate. This means a routine traffic stop or local arrest can lead to an immigration hold, not just contact with federal ICE agents.
If a family member was arrested in this operation, what can I do?
Contact an immigration attorney immediately. An attorney can find out where your family member is being held, request a bond hearing (a court hearing to ask for release), and evaluate whether a Stay of Deportation on Form I-246 is an option. Acting fast matters — deportation can happen quickly after a final order is confirmed.
Can I reopen my immigration case if I already have a removal order?
Possibly. You can file a Motion to Reopen your case, but the deadline is 90 days from the date of the original removal order. If that deadline has passed, options are more limited but may still exist — for example, if conditions in your home country have changed significantly. An immigration lawyer can review your specific situation.