FIRST ILLEGAL ALIEN ARREST FLORIDA

BY SNN.BZ STAFF

First Arrest Under Florida’s New Immigration Law: Felipe Hernandez-Chavarin Faces Charges in Titusville

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — In a landmark case for Florida’s immigration enforcement efforts, 38-year-old Felipe Hernandez-Chavarin, a Mexican national, has become the first individual arrested under the state’s newly enacted Illegal Alien Arrest Law. The arrest, which took place in Titusville, marks a significant step in the implementation of a controversial statute signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration at the state level.

Hernandez-Chavarin was apprehended by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office after allegedly refusing to leave a job site, an incident that initially led to a trespassing charge. However, further investigation by law enforcement revealed that Hernandez-Chavarin had previously been deported from the United States in 2019 after entering the country illegally from Mexico. His reentry into the U.S. without authorization triggered charges under Florida’s new immigration law, which makes it a state-level crime to enter or reenter the country illegally—a responsibility traditionally handled by federal authorities.

The new law, enacted in February 2025, classifies unauthorized entry into Florida as a misdemeanor, with penalties escalating to a third-degree felony for individuals who return after prior deportation. For Hernandez-Chavarin, this means he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of one year and one day in prison if convicted, in addition to the trespassing charge. Currently, he is being held without bond in the Brevard County Jail as his case unfolds.

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The arrest stems from an encounter at a job site in Titusville, though specific details about the location and nature of the work remain unclear. Reports indicate that Hernandez-Chavarin was asked to leave the premises but refused, prompting authorities to intervene. Upon confirming his identity and immigration history, deputies charged him under the new statute, a move hailed by state officials as a victory for law enforcement and public safety.

Governor Ron DeSantis praised the arrest, stating on social media, “Great job enforcing our recently enacted legislation to fight illegal immigration!” The law, part of a broader push by the DeSantis administration to bolster state-level immigration controls, has been touted as a means to enhance cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Critics, however, argue that it oversteps state authority and risks profiling individuals based on appearance or perceived status.

Larry Keefe, Executive Director of the Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement, highlighted the historic nature of the arrest, noting that Brevard County deputies, alongside Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, were the first in the state to apply the new law. “This is one for the books,” Keefe said, commending Sheriff Wayne Ivey and his team for “setting the standard for law and order across the country.”

Hernandez-Chavarin’s prior deportation in 2019 followed an illegal entry from Mexico, though the circumstances of his initial removal and subsequent return remain undisclosed. His arrest underscores the law’s focus on repeat offenders, a group state officials argue poses a heightened risk to communities. Sheriff Ivey has emphasized the practical impact of the legislation, stating that it equips local agencies with tools to address illegal immigration that were previously unavailable. “We’re seeing these cases more often than people realize,” Ivey remarked. “Now, we can do something about it.”

The case has sparked debate across Florida and beyond. Supporters view it as a necessary measure to deter illegal reentry and bolster border security, aligning with broader national efforts under the incoming Trump administration. Opponents, including immigrant rights advocates, contend that the law could lead to unjust detentions and strain community relations, particularly in a state with a significant immigrant population.

As Hernandez-Chavarin awaits his day in court, his arrest serves as a test case for Florida’s ambitious immigration policy. Legal experts anticipate challenges to the law’s constitutionality, with some arguing that immigration enforcement falls squarely under federal jurisdiction. For now, however, the focus remains on Titusville, where one man’s refusal to leave a job site has thrust him into the center of a heated political and legal storm.

The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how Florida—and potentially other states—navigate the complex intersection of state and federal authority in the fight over immigration. Until then, Felipe Hernandez-Chavarin remains behind bars, a symbol of a new era in the Sunshine State’s approach to border control.