In an unprecedented immigration enforcement effort, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in coordination with Florida agencies, arrested 1,120 undocumented immigrants in a single week as part of Operation Tidal Wave — the largest such crackdown in a single U.S. state since ICE was established in 2003.
Conducted from April 21 to April 26, the operation specifically targeted individuals with prior criminal convictions, gang affiliations, or final deportation orders. ICE officials described the operation as “historic,” citing the success of expanded collaboration with Florida under the federal 287(g) program, which empowers local law enforcement to carry out immigration duties.
Arrests included nationals from Guatemala (437), Mexico (280), and Honduras (153), along with individuals from Venezuela, El Salvador, and Colombia. ICE also confirmed the apprehension of gang members from MS-13, 18th Street, and Tren de Aragua, and suspects previously convicted of violent crimes such as murder and kidnapping.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis praised the operation, promising continued efforts to enforce immigration laws and enhance public safety statewide. “This is just the beginning,” he said during a press briefing.
However, immigration advocates expressed deep concern. Critics argue many detainees were apprehended during traffic stops or while commuting to work, some of whom reportedly had pending asylum cases or valid work authorizations.
“This operation terrorized immigrant communities,” said Renatta Bozzetto of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, accusing authorities of failing to justify the classification of those detained as threats.
ICE maintains the initiative is a national model for future state-level immigration enforcement, signaling broader expansion of interior crackdowns across the U.S.
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