From April 21 to April 26, state and federal law enforcement organizations partnered in a statewide operation that led to 1,120 arrests of non-U.S. citizens.
This is the largest joint immigration operation in Florida's history.
According to a press release issued by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' office on Thursday, 63% of these arrests were people who had a history of criminal arrests or convictions. It's also noted in the press release that 378 of the people arrested have final orders of removal that were issued by an immigration judge.
The operation was a partnership between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), law enforcement partners from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the state of Florida, according to the press release. The state says that the statewide operation was the first of its kind and led to the most arrests in a state in one week in ICE's history.
"I’ve insisted that Florida be the tip of the spear when it comes to state support of federal immigration enforcement. The success of Operation Tidal Wave is proof of our commitment," DeSantis said via news release.
In the governor's press release, the countries of origin were listed regarding those who were arrested. They include the following:
- 437 from Guatemala
- 280 from Mexico
- 153 from Honduras
- 48 from Venezuela
- 24 from El Salvador
- 178 from elsewhere
Officers arrested a variety of violent offenders, gang members, sexual offenders and fugitives, according to the press release. Additionally, these arrests included members of different foreign terrorist organizations, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Brown Pride Aztecas, Barrio Azteca, Surenos (sur-13) and 18th Street Gang.
Anyone arrested who has final orders of removal or reentered the country illegally after being deported is subject to immediate removal from the U.S., according to the news release. The remaining people who were arrested are in ICE custody while awaiting due process before an immigration judge or will be removed pending travel arrangements.
"Last week’s operational success of arresting more than 1,100 criminal illegal aliens was truly a collaborative whole-of-government effort by our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Florida,” ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan said via press release. “Every day, our officers take to the streets and put their lives on the line to apprehend and remove dangerous criminal aliens, transnational gang members and foreign fugitives who have illegally entered the U.S. We are united in our determination to restore integrity to our nation’s immigration system and enhance public safety for all Americans.”
The following counties' sheriff's offices helped ICE during the operation:
- Alachua County
- Baker County
- Branford County
- Brevard County
- Clay County
- Hernando County
- Hillsborough County
- Indian River County
- Orange County
- Pinellas County
- St. John’s County
- Sumter County
- Volusia County
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