In a significant move in the ongoing effort to enforce immigration laws, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in cooperation with state and local law enforcement agencies, conducted a massive four-day operation that led to the arrest of 780 migrants in Florida. The operation, which began on Monday, April 21, 2025, and was dubbed “Operation Tidal Wave,” is notable for being one of the largest enforcement efforts involving the collaboration of federal, state, and local agencies, with the goal of targeting individuals living in the United States illegally.
The operation, utilizing ICE’s 287(g) authority, represents a dramatic expansion of the agency’s partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies. The 287(g) authority allows local and state law enforcement officers to be deputized by ICE to enforce federal immigration laws. This initiative enables state and local officers to assist federal agents by identifying and arresting undocumented immigrants within their jurisdictions.
In this case, the operation was focused in Florida, a state that has become a significant point of contention in the debate over immigration policy. Florida’s state and local law enforcement, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), played a pivotal role in the operation, working hand in hand with ICE agents from multiple enforcement arms, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). This collaborative effort is seen as a “whole government” approach to immigration enforcement, with a focus on public safety and the removal of individuals deemed to pose a threat to communities.
The arrest of 780 individuals is seen as a major success for ICE’s continued efforts to address illegal immigration, particularly in states like Florida, where the population of undocumented immigrants is high. According to Todd Lyons, the acting ICE director, the operation marked one of the first large-scale missions conducted with such an extensive partnership between federal, state, and local agencies. He emphasized that the involvement of state and local law enforcement agencies has acted as a “force multiplier,” significantly enhancing ICE’s ability to identify and apprehend individuals living in the country illegally.
Lyons highlighted the importance of these partnerships in securing communities and removing public safety threats. He explained, “State troopers, local police officers, and county sheriffs are our eyes and ears. They encounter criminal aliens during their regular duties and are able to identify these public safety threats for us.” The cooperation between different law enforcement bodies has allowed ICE to expand its reach and effectiveness in enforcing immigration laws across the state.
The arrests made during “Operation Tidal Wave” were not limited to individuals merely suspected of being in the country illegally. A significant portion of those arrested had final orders of removal, meaning they had been through the immigration court process and were legally required to leave the United States. These individuals were apprehended and are now subject to expedited removal from the country.
The success of the operation is seen as a direct result of the ongoing expansion of ICE’s 287(g) partnerships with state and local law enforcement. Since the beginning of the current administration, ICE has signed 428 new 287(g) agreements with various local and state agencies, representing a staggering 371% increase in such agreements. This increase reflects the growing collaboration between federal and local authorities in tackling illegal immigration.
The partnerships between ICE and state and local law enforcement agencies are not confined to Florida. In fact, they have expanded to include other states with significant immigrant populations, including Texas and Virginia, as well as states that are not traditionally associated with immigration enforcement. Madison Sheahan, the ICE deputy director, expressed confidence in the ongoing success of these partnerships, stating that the collaboration has proven effective in not only identifying and removing undocumented individuals but also in enhancing community safety.
As the operation continues to garner attention, it has sparked debate among both advocates for immigration reform and those in favor of stricter immigration policies. Critics of the operation argue that it disproportionately targets vulnerable populations and undermines community trust in local law enforcement. They fear that such partnerships may result in the criminalization of undocumented immigrants who have no history of violent crime or legal issues.
On the other hand, proponents of the operation argue that the partnership between ICE and state and local agencies is vital in maintaining the rule of law and protecting public safety. Supporters claim that these efforts ensure that those who have entered the country illegally and have violated immigration laws are held accountable and removed from communities where they may pose a risk.
One of the central points of contention is the impact of these operations on local communities. Florida, in particular, has a significant immigrant population, and many fear that the heavy focus on immigration enforcement will create an atmosphere of fear and mistrust between immigrants and law enforcement. Some worry that individuals will be reluctant to report crimes or cooperate with police for fear of being detained and deported. These concerns are particularly pronounced in immigrant communities that may already be marginalized or vulnerable.
Despite these concerns, the operation’s supporters maintain that it is necessary to address the illegal immigration problem and ensure that those who have entered the country unlawfully are held accountable. They argue that the use of 287(g) partnerships is an essential tool in this effort and that the collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement is effective in identifying and removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety.
The success of “Operation Tidal Wave” has drawn attention to the growing importance of local and state law enforcement agencies in the broader immigration debate. While the federal government has traditionally been responsible for enforcing immigration laws, the increase in state and local partnerships with ICE has broadened the scope of enforcement efforts and raised questions about the role of local law enforcement in immigration matters.
For now, the operation continues to evolve, with more states expected to engage in similar partnerships in the future. As the political climate surrounding immigration remains heated, it is likely that such operations will continue to spark debate and draw attention to the intersection of immigration policy, public safety, and local law enforcement. The long-term impact of these partnerships remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: immigration enforcement is becoming increasingly intertwined with local law enforcement, creating a new dynamic in the ongoing debate over the future of immigration in the United States.
