Federal immigration authorities have officially launched Operation Tidal Wave, a multi-agency effort targeting 800 undocumented immigrants across Florida. The operation marks the first large-scale immigration enforcement action coordinated directly between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Florida state and local police under the Trump administration.
According to documents reviewed by the Miami Herald, the sweep began Monday and will continue through Saturday, focusing on individuals in cities including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers. While DHS has not disclosed how many people have been detained, the targets are described as "criminal individuals or immigration violators" with final deportation orders.
As part of the effort, Florida officers are working under the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to carry out certain immigration enforcement functions. ICE confirmed the operation in general terms to the Miami Herald, noting that it does not comment on active efforts for safety reasons: "the agency publicly announces the results of operations when appropriate."
Border czar Tom Homan has championed the expansion of such partnerships since Trump's return to the White House and Florida has emerged as a key partner, with 230 law enforcement agencies having entered into 287(g) agreements — the highest number in the country.
Over half of the state's active agreements follow the "task force" model, permitting officers to detain and question individuals on immigration grounds during routine duties.
This expansion comes amid a broader push by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to align state immigration enforcement with federal directives. In February, Florida passed legislation requiring county jails to participate in 287(g), and while the law doesn't explicitly require city police departments to join, DeSantis has urged compliance under the state's sanctuary city ban.
However, the move has sparked fear and confusion among immigrant communities. Advocates warn that the policy could erode public trust. "Living your life and existing in this community is now an extreme risk," said Alana Greer, director of the Community Justice Project in a sprawling analysis of Florida's immigration enforcement in news site Mother Jones. "This is incredibly frightening."
As Mother Jones also points out, among other bills signed by Governor DeSantis targeting immigrants is SB 4-C, which would allow law enforcement to arrest and prosecute undocumented immigrants for being in the state without legal status.
That bill has been challenged by immigration advocates in federal court, citing that the law oversteps "the federal government's well established exclusive immigration powers" and also violates the Commerce Clause, a federal provision that gives Congress power over commerce between states.
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
