Florida Highway Patrol Makes ICE Arrests in Alachua County Throughout 2025, Receives Help from Sheriff's Office
Throughout 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested thousands of immigrants around the country for living in the U.S. under illegal circumstances, and Alachua County hasn’t been spared.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has implored police agencies around the state to sign 287(g) agreements, which allow local law enforcement to conduct immigration enforcement.
According to the ICE website, nearly every police agency in Alachua County has signed the 287(g) document, being the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), the University of Florida (UF) Police Department (UFPD), the Santa Fe College Police Department (SFPD), the High Springs Police Department (HSPD) and the Alachua Police Department (APD).
The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) is the only outlier, but Chief Nelson Moya said at a town hall a few months back that pressure was mounting and that it was only a matter of time before he signed the agreement.
Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement Data
The Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement currently publicly uploads data under an interactive document titled “Florida’s Suspected Unauthorized Alien Encounters.”
According to the data, ranging from August 1, 2025, to date, HSPD, APD, UFPD and SFPD haven’t had any encounters with any suspected unauthorized immigrants.
The data shows ACSO has had encounters with 32 suspected unauthorized immigrants. The data appears to regard encounters deputies have had directly within the context of their policing duties, and likely doesn’t count individuals booked into the ACSO jail for being in the country unlawfully or the number would be much higher. Many suspected unauthorized immigrants who were booked into the ACSO Jail throughout 2025 were arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), not ACSO deputies themselves.
The data shows the immigrants encountered by ACSO deputies have come from a range of countries, predominantly Mexico.
According to the data, 27 immigrants were confirmed to not have gang affiliation, while one was confirmed to be gang-affiliated, and four were classified as unknown.
According to the data, 12 suspected unauthorized immigrants whom ACSO encountered were not arrested. Ten were arrested on federal immigration charges, while ten more were arrested on local charges.
Standard Records Request Leads to Acquisition of ACSO ICE Detainee Data
On December 16, 2025, GnvInfo submitted a records request to ACSO for jail booking logs for the months of July 2025 through the date the request was submitted.
ACSO responded with the jail booking logs for June 2025, July 2025, and August 2025 but did not provide the standard booking logs for September through December. Instead, they provided a document titled “ICE Detainee Logs [Sep 1, 2025] to [Dec 16, 2025].”
Some immigrants’ charges on the document are referred to as “ICE Detainer,” while others are referred to as “ICE Intransit.”
According to the data, 37 immigrants were booked into the ACSO Jail on ICE charges in September, with 37 more in the following month.
GnvInfo hasn’t obtained ICE detainer data for December 18, 2025, through December 31, 2025. The data provided shows that from November 1, 2025, to December 16, 2025, 20 immigrants were booked into the ACSO Jail on ICE charges.
Sheriff's Statement
In January 2025, ACSO published the following statement on their social media accounts.
“The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office continues to receive phone calls from concerned citizens related to rumors of immigration ‘sweeps’ or ‘roundups’ within Alachua County. Due to the hysteria that these rumors have created, we would like to ensure that you, our citizens, are well informed with the information that we have been provided by ICE as of today.
ICE has informed our Sheriff [Chad Scott] that they are conducting ‘targeted immigration enforcement’ throughout the State of Florida. ICE conducts coordinated, targeted enforcement efforts that take place at either the national or local level and focus on a specific group of aliens that pose the greatest threats to homeland security.
Sheriff Scott was reassured that ICE will effectively communicate any enforcement efforts with our local law enforcement.
We understand that recent media coverage related to immigration enforcement has created a sense of fear and panic for those that live within our county. It is our hope that as we learn credible information from our federal partners, that we provide our community with transparent, reliable communication.”
Police Reports
Incident 1
On August 15, 2025, FHP Trooper Earl Mash responded to a three-vehicle crash on SW 170th St. and SW 15th Ave.
Mash reported, “Upon my arrival I observed a Silver Chevy Truck pulling a trailer involved in the crash. I made contact with the driver who was identified as Juan Rigoberto Chilel Ramirez… by his Guatemala ID card only. Mr. Ramirez stated of not having a driver's license out of Florida, another state or another country. He also stated of not having his passport on him as he left it at home. I observed on his Guatemala ID card of a Gainesville, Florida address. Mr. Ramirez was unable to provide any other documentation to his legal status when notifying ICE agents. [An] ICE agent mentioned a detainer would be issued for Mr. Ramirez. At that time I advised Mr. Ramirez he was under arrest for driving without a driver's license. I conducted a pat down of his person where he was then placed in handcuffs and placed in my patrol vehicle.”
Ramirez was medically cleared at the hospital and then transported to the ACSO jail on a count of driving without a valid driver’s license, for which he was later convicted on a plea deal.
The ICE Detainee Locator indicates Ramirez was deported, as he previously showed as being in the Bluebonnet Detention Facility when searching his name, while currently no results are found upon searching his name or A-number.
Incident 2
On August 27, 2025, FHP Trooper Joshua Wilson conducted a traffic stop in Alachua near Santa Fe High School on a driver for driving with broken brake lights.
Wilson reported that his investigation revealed that Jose Manuel Leon-Garcia “had entered the United States illegally and had not reported to immigration authorities.”
Wilson continues, “I requested the assistance of ICE via phone call. Deportation Officer George verified that Mr. Leon Garcia was within the United States illegally and advised he had an administrative order of removal. Mr. Leon Garcia was placed under arrest for the driving without a driver license violation and transported to the Alachua County Jail without further incident. ICE sent a detainer to the Alachua County Jail.”
Leon-Garcia's first appearance order indicates he was not placed under an ICE hold and he was released after posting a $5,000 bond, however, the bond was forfeited because he didn't appear at a required court hearing, court records show. His case remains open.
Leon-Garcia previously showed up under the ICE Detainee Locator, but it didn’t specify if he was located at any specific detention facility. Presently, he no longer shows up upon searching up his name or A-number.
Several days after Leon-Garcia’s arrest, Wilson arrested Gabriel Barrios-Velazquez on the same count Leon-Garcia was charged with, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. Confusingly, Wilson’s arrest report for Barrio-Velazquez appears to insert information from Leon-Garcia’s arrest report, despite the incidents being days apart.
Barrios-Velazquez's first appearance order indicates he was not placed under an ICE hold and he was released on a $500 bond but it was forfeited because he didn't appear at a required court hearing, court records show. His case remains open.
Incident 3
On August 31, 2025, FHP Trooper Justin Cote arrested Mariano Gomez-Mendez for drunk driving and contacted ICE under suspicion of him being in the country illegally.
Cote responded to the scene at 12:35 p.m. in the area of SW 8th Ave and SW 133rd Way.
According to the arrest report, Gomez-Mendez hit a vehicle while driving and attempted to flee but was chased by a witness who compelled him to pull over by repeatedly honking his horn at him.
Cote reported, “The vehicle had front right damage consistent with [the victim's] account of the collision… I observed numerous, at least 10-15, white 12 oz Modelo beer cans on the front passenger floorboard and across the 2nd row floorboard. Two of the cans were open, partially full, and cool to the touch. A majority of the other cans were empty with a few of them being unopened. Deputy Altman #2175 advised me he was the first law enforcement officer on scene and upon his arrival, the driver was still seated behind the wheel, and no other occupants were seen in the vehicle.”
Cote described physical signs of impairment exhibited by Gomez-Mendez but reported that no “vocal signs of impairment were observed due to the language barrier.”
Gomez-Mendez reportedly told Cote that he didn’t have a driver’s license.
After a field sobriety test, Cote arrested Gomez-Mendez and took him to the jail for a breath test and then to the hospital for medical clearance before transporting him back to jail.
Cote’s report continues, “Gomez-Mendez was cooperative throughout interaction. Gomez-Mendez fell asleep numerous times in transport, at the jail, and at the hospital. I am currently employed as a Florida State Trooper and am also 287g certified. Due to statements of being in the US illegally, with Gomez Mendez admitting he initially came on a 3-month work visa 5 years ago and then chose to stay illegally, ICE ERO was contacted via phone call. Officer Cherubin with ICE ERO advised ICE would be placing a detainer on Gomez-Mendez for removal at the conclusion of his state charges. Copies of the detainer were sent to Trooper Hughes, the Alachua County Jail, and myself.”
Gomez-Mendez was charged with operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, hit and run, and two counts of driving under the influence (DUI).
Gomez-Mendez later took a plea deal where he was sentenced to time served and one year of probation, and he was convicted of all his charges except one of the DUI counts, court records show.
In December 2025, Court Officer Amanda Mash submitted an affidavit of probation violation on Gomez-Mendez. The document states Gomez-Mendez "left the country voluntarily" on or about October 28, 2025, less than a week after he was released from jail after resolving his case.
Incident 4
Although GPD hasn’t signed the 287(g) agreement to formally work with ICE, they have arrested individuals who later received an ICE detainer in the ACSO Jail along with their local charges.
On October 21, 2025, GPD Officer William Schaeffer arrested Ramone Perez Garcia and charged him with driving without a valid license and felony drug possession.
Schaeffer reported that he initiated the traffic stop on Garcia because he drove through an intersection with a stop sign without stopping. The drug possession charge stemmed from one gram of cocaine in his possession.
Garcia was placed under an ICE hold in the ACSO Jail, his first appearance order states.
Garcia later took a plea agreement on the traffic and drug possession counts along with a drug equipment count and received withheld adjudications and a sentence of 60 days in jail followed by 18 months of drug offender probation.
On his plea agreement, Garcia has to sign his initials next to a series of boxes to show that he agrees with what the box states. One of the boxes is titled “Immigration warning,” stating, “I understand that if I am not a citizen of the United States, this plea may result in my detention and deportation/removal from the United States and/or stop me from being able to legally enter or re-enter the United States. I further understand that I have the right to seek individualized advice from my attorney about the effect this plea will have on my immigration status.”
Garcia then has to sign his initial next to the following options: “(a) My attorney has advised me that I am pleading to a presumptively mandatory deportable offense. I fully understand the immigration consequences of pleading to a presumptively mandatory deportable offense. In some cases, detention and removal will be required. (b) My attorney has advised me that I am not pleading to a presumptively mandatory deportable offense. I fully understand that this plea may still subject me to removal proceedings and/or exclusion from the United States. In some cases, detention and removal will be required. (c) My attorney has not provided me with any individualized advice about the immigration consequences of my plea.”
Garcia selected option c.
Garcia does not currently appear under the ACSO Jail Inmate Lookup, indicating he is not in the jail.
There are no results upon searching Garcia’s name on the ICE Detainee Locator.
A search of the Florida Department of Corrections website show Garcia’s probation status is defined as “Active Suspense,” which is defined as an offender being “temporarily unavailable for direct supervision during the supervision term, due to being in custody in jail or another facility, but is still being monitored by a probation officer for release, arrest, etc.”
Incident 5
On November 2, 2025, around 10:30 a.m., FHP Trooper Douglas Crandall responded to a crash on SR 24 and SW 24th St.
Crandall reported that ACSO deputies were already on scene and that one told him one of the drivers “did not have a license and was not from here.”
Crandall made contact with the driver, who was in tears, stating she has been in the U.S. since she was five years old and did not have her license or passport with her. Crandall stated that he called ICE to determine is she was "legal or illegal."
ICE told Crandall they wanted a phone interview with the driver and she stated that she would not give them any information.
Crandall reported, "Agents at this time were not able to determine if she is legal or not." Crandall arrested her for driving without a valid license, for which she later took a plea deal and was granted a withheld adjudication. Court records show she was not placed under an ICE hold and she was released from jail after posting a $150 bond.
Incident 6
On November 17, 2025, ACSO Deputy Michael Altman physically assisted FHP Trooper David Hughes in arresting Ivan Roblero, who was charged with resisting an officer without violence.
Hughes reported, “While on patrol in a marked patrol vehicle, I observed a pickup truck with an obscured tag and no tag lights. I am employed by the Florida Highway Patrol and am credentialed through the 287g Task Force Officer program as a delegated immigration enforcement officer. I effected the traffic stop and requested ID from the driver. He advised he did not have one. I asked if anyone in the vehicle had ID to which they provided their names, date of birth, and country of origin. All except for the driver advised they were in the country illegally.”
Hughes reported that he had Roblero exit the vehicle “while waiting on the ICE KROME call center to verify his identity and status.”
Hughes reported that after exiting the vehicle, Roblero “acted as if he was going to comply; however, he pulled away from me and began running."
Hughes reported, "I was able to slow him down by grabbing his shirt, while ACSO Deputy Altman #2175 was able to grab hold of him. He was subsequently placed in handcuffs and placed in the rear of the patrol vehicle.”
Hughes' report continues, “ICE advised they would forward the I-200, 1-203, and I-247a Immigration warrant/detention forms to the Alachua County Jail, and requested I transport.”
The State later filed the resisting count against Roblero and he was released from jail after posting a $1,000 bond, however, it was forfeited because he didn't appear at a required hearing, according to court records. His case remains open.
Backlash
Institutional compliance with immigration enforcement has prompted several protests in Alachua County, particularly within educational institutions.
On March 28, 2025, UF student Felipe Zapata Velásquez was arrested by GPD officers Brandon Vidal and Tyler Allen for driving with an expired license and registration.
Zapata Velásquez had recently transferred from Santa Fe College to UF. He had a student visa but hadn’t yet filled out an I-20 form, which validates international students’ enrollment in the U.S.
Zapata Velásquez’s arrest prompted the UF branch of the Young Democratic Socialists of America to protest the university for not doing more to protect immigrant students. They attempted to deliver a letter of demands but were not allowed. The group launched more protests against the university on the same grounds a few months back.
Santa Fe College also received backlash after signing the 287(g) agreement to partner with ICE. At a public meeting, college officials passed a motion that signed the agreement without responding to input from dissenting students and faculty.
From public universities to public schools, the Alachua County School Board (SBAC) has also been on the receiving end of criticism for their policy to allow immigration enforcement authorities to interview or remove students without a warrant. The policy doesn’t guarantee parents the right to know if their child was removed or interviewed, stating school administrators will “request permission” to contact a student’s parental guardian before or after an interview/removal.
Throughout 2025, SBAC has been continually protested by the Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative, with the group demanding ICE agents present a signed judicial warrant before interviewing or removing a student.
ACSO has faced criticism and concerns for their dealings with ICE, but it doesn’t appear the agency has experienced any protests for their compliance.
