Martin County has emerged as a significant ICE enforcement hotspot in South Florida, with the second-highest encounter rate statewide. The county received a major state enforcement equipment grant and hosts an ICE sub-office in Stuart that coordinates multi-agency operations across the Treasure Coast.

Key Facts

• $738,000 state grant awarded to Martin County Sheriff for enforcement equipment including rapid DNA testing systems, surveillance cameras, and tactical radios (Dec 2025)
• Second-highest encounter rate statewide per capita
• ICE Stuart Sub-office running multi-agency enforcement operations
• 400+ immigration arrests since August 2025
• Indiantown joint operation: 11 arrests in a single coordinated operation targeting the agricultural community

Enforcement Infrastructure

Stuart ICE Sub-office

The ICE sub-office in Stuart serves as the coordination point for immigration enforcement across the Treasure Coast region. The office runs multi-agency operations drawing on local law enforcement, CBP, and HSI resources.

$738K Equipment Grant

The Martin County Sheriff received a $738,000 state grant (reported December 2025) to acquire:

• Rapid DNA testing equipment — enables on-site identification processing
• Surveillance cameras — expanded monitoring capability
• Tactical radios — improved multi-agency communication

This grant represents a significant state-level investment in local immigration enforcement capability, bypassing federal funding channels.

Indiantown Operations

Indiantown, an unincorporated agricultural community in western Martin County with a large immigrant population, has been the site of targeted joint operations. One operation resulted in 11 arrests. The targeting of agricultural communities raises concerns about economic disruption to the region’s farming operations.

Facility

• Martin County Jail (Stuart, FL) — IGSA facility, FIPS 12085
• Address: 800 Southeast Monterey Road, Stuart
• AOR: Miami
• Historical avg daily ICE pop: 5 (Vera data, pre-surge)
• Current population likely significantly higher given 400+ arrests

Sources

• CBS12: Martin County Sheriff receives $738K grant for enforcement equipment (2025/12/17)
• WPTV: ICE operations on the Treasure Coast
• CBS12: ICE raids in Martin County

Other signals in this county