ICE agents reported in Immokalee ahead of expected deportations Sunday

Immokalee residents are reporting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are in the community Friday.

The agricultural community about 40 miles east of Naples is home to a large migrant farmworker population. 

Tammy Spicer, a spokeswoman for ICE, said in a statement that the agency “will not offer specific details related to enforcement operations” because of safety concerns for agents. 

Spicer said ICE prioritizes the arrest and removal of people who threaten national security, public safety and border security. 

“However, all of those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and — if found removable by final order — removal from the United States,” she said. 

ICE is expected to begin deportation raids across the country Sunday, but it is unclear whether Friday's operation in Immokalee is related to that reported crackdown.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has an agreement with ICE, known as 287(g), that allows some deputies to effectively act as immigration agents. The agreement allows deputies to ask people who are arrested about their immigration status and start the process that may lead to their deportation.

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Jamie Mosbach said sheriff's deputies are "not assisting" ICE with its operation Friday. 

“That is an independent investigation through ICE," Mosbach said. 

Check back with naplesnews.com for more on this developing story.

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