On Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol conducted a joint operation with federal immigration officers in Jefferson County to round up 12 people believed to be in the country illegally, one of a number of raids performed around the country as the Trump administration ramps up its plans for mass deportation.

"We are ready and willing to follow the governor's lead and work with federal partners to execute the Trump illegal immigration mandate!" the FHP said in a social media post. The agency said it collaborated with Homeland Security Investigations in Tallahassee, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security which acts as the primary investigative arm of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

Rumors swirled across social media about numerous ICE raids at homes and businesses in Tallahassee and elsewhere as federal immigration enforcers rushed to comply with President Donald Trump's tough nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration .

“I will declare a national emergency at our southern border,” Trump said during his inaugural speech. “All illegal entry will be immediately halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of illegal aliens back to the places from which they came.”

Two hours after the first post, the FHP stepped into the GOP civil war brewing in the state over who will control immigration enforcement when it posted video from the action and condemned a new bill from the Florida Legislature that makes Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson the new state Chief Immigration Officer with a staff of more than 140 people and funding of over $500 million to get started. The bill passed Tuesday , despite Gov. Ron DeSantis' strenuous objections.

"FHP is already operating under the governor's leadership to work with federal partners and enforce immigration law in Florida," the FHP said on its official X , formerly Twitter, page. "The new bill proposed by the legislature would undercut our ability to deliver on this mission and remove critical authority and resources from our purview."

ICE raids for illegal immigrants have spiked dramatically around the country in the last few days. Multiple raids were carried out in Texas , Colorado , New Jersey and New York .

Here's what to know.

What does ICE stand for in immigration?

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was created in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security to protect the U.S. from cross-border crime and illegal immigration.

ICE enforces the nation's complex Title 8 immigration laws inside the country and U.S. Customs and Border Protection handle it at the nation's borders. ICE has more than 20,000 law enforcement officers and an annual budget of about $8 billion.

However, last week the Trump administration deputized thousands more federal law enforcement officers to help with Trump's goal of mass deportations, and many local law enforcement agencies have announced their intentions to coordinate and cooperate with the efforts.

That depends on who you ask.

"ICE detains individuals as necessary, including to secure their presence for immigration proceedings and removal from the United States," the agency says on its website. "ICE also detains those who are subject to mandatory detention under U.S. immigration law and those a supervisor has determined are public safety or flight risks."

The president, who declared a national border emergency on his first day in office and ordered the U.S. armed forces to repel "forms of invasion," has said his administration will prioritize deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal histories.

However, on Tuesday White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked at her first press conference how many people were arrested by ICE since Trump regained power had criminal records.

“All of them, because they illegally broke our nation’s laws and therefore they are criminals as far as this administration goes,’’ Leavitt said , suggesting that any and all people in the country without permission are fair game.

Within a few days of Trump taking office, ICE began posting totals of arrests and number of detainees lodged per day. On Jan. 23, 538 people were arrested. On Monday, it was 1,179 . The ICE office in Miami reported Sunday it had arrested a Nicaraguan resident and a Jamaican resident on multiple charges.

CNN reported that ICE teams around the country have been given quotas for high-profile arrests, although the Trump administration’s new “border czar” Tom Homan said there were no quotas.

ICE teams were also told to be camera-ready in case they are filmed, according to CNN. TV show host Dr. Phil McGraw was embedded with an ICE operation in Chicago on Sunday.

What happens to people after ICE arrests them?

After ICE arrests and process people, or takes them into custody after other law enforcement agencies turn them over, they may detain them while their immigration cases are pending or release them under supervision.

"Officials make custody determinations on an individual basis, taking into account all facets of a person’s situation, including their immigration history and criminal records. Authorities also consider family ties, humanitarian issues and whether a person may be a flight risk," ICE said .

However, Trump issued executive orders last week to authorize the expansion of “expedited removal,” which allows the U.S. to deport someone without a hearing and revoked a ban on ICE arrests in sensitive areas such as hospitals, schools and churches.

Is ICE offering a $750 reward for turning in suspected immigrants?

No. The agency posted a denial of this rumor to its X page. Some suspects wanted for crimes by local, state or federal law enforcement who are also illegal immigrants may have rewards attached to information leading to their arrest but there are currently no financial incentives for turning-in suspected immigrants to ICE.

What can I do if I fear an ICE raid?

You, your family or emergency contacts can contact the local ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office to initiate an ICE Case Review process. You can find your local ERO office here . Have supporting documents ready.

Everyone living in the United States has certain rights and protections provided by the U.S. Constitution, whatever their residency status is, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

How can I find an immigration lawyer in Florida?

The Immigration Advocates Network provides a list of over 50 Florida-based organizations that help migrants, refugees, and others access legal, health, and social services. You can narrow the list down by services, what languages they speak, ZIP code and more.