A dramatic scene unfolded on Wednesday morning in Key Largo when federal immigration officers forcibly removed a woman dressed in medical scrubs from her vehicle, despite her repeated claims of being a U.S. citizen.
This incident took place amid a heightened immigration operation that has intensified in the Florida Keys over recent weeks.
At 9:15 a.m., near the Pink Plaza at mile marker 103.4 on U.S. 1, authorities surrounded a white Toyota Corolla, commanding the driver to exit.
According to footage captured by Miami Herald reporter David Goodhue, several officers—identified as members of ICE, CBP, and the Border Patrol—eventually compelled her to leave the vehicle by force.
In the video, the woman can be heard shouting frantically, “I am a U.S. citizen, please help me! This is unjust. Why are you doing this to me?”
Officers subsequently forced her to the ground, handcuffed her, and placed her in an official vehicle. Shortly after, upon inspecting her driver's license—which they found inside the car—they confirmed her American citizenship.
She was released on the scene, yet has not been located since, according to the Miami Herald.
Official Response and Controversy
The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that the woman "refused to cooperate" during the incident.
Spokesman Alan Regalado claimed she did not hand over her license or lower the window when approached by the officers. However, he did not clarify the criteria being used by agents to stop vehicles in the operation.
"We cannot disclose details on what we are looking for," was the only explanation provided.
Broader Immigration Crackdown
This operation was part of a broader deployment that remained active from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Rowell’s Waterfront Park, near mile marker 104.5.
Drivers passing through the area reported being told by agents to keep moving without stopping when lines formed due to curious onlookers slowing down.
This incident occurs amidst heightened immigration scrutiny in the Florida Keys, marked by numerous recent raids.
In late November, a joint CBP operation resulted in the detention of 12 individuals, including several Cubans, all lacking immigration authorization and hailing from countries such as Nicaragua, Venezuela, Colombia, and Guatemala.
The detainees were transported to the Border Patrol station in Marathon, where they face deportation proceedings.
Helicopters, road checkpoints, and agents stopping vehicles at mile marker 105, near Winn-Dixie, were involved in that operation.
According to CBP, those detained faced prior charges for illegal reentry after deportation, DUI, illegal possession of firearms, drug possession with a weapon, assault, and domestic violence.
Federal authorities have yet to provide an explanation for why, in this instance, a U.S. citizen ended up handcuffed on the ground, only to be released without charges.
What is clear is that operations have been increasingly reinforced since the tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration, continuing to expand in frequency and scope in the Keys, particularly around Key Largo, which agents describe as a "recent area of interest."
Key Questions on Immigration Operations in the Florida Keys
What prompted the heightened immigration operations in the Florida Keys?
The operations have intensified as part of broader immigration policy enforcement, particularly under the Trump administration, focusing on areas of recent interest such as Key Largo.
Why was a U.S. citizen detained in this operation?
Federal authorities have not provided a detailed explanation, but the incident involved miscommunication and procedural issues during the operation.
What actions are taken against individuals detained without immigration authorization?
Detained individuals are typically transported to Border Patrol stations, such as the one in Marathon, to face deportation proceedings.