Florida and the Trump administration launch “Operation Tidal Wave” targeting 800 undocumented immigrants with final deportation orders, employing unprecedented coordination of over 230 state and local law enforcement agencies.
Key Insights
- Florida’s “Operation Tidal Wave” represents the largest state-federal immigration enforcement collaboration in history, with over 230 local law enforcement agencies participating.
- The initiative specifically targets approximately 800 undocumented immigrants who already have final deportation orders across multiple Florida regions.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is implementing measures to streamline deportations, including revamping the SAVE program to accelerate removals.
- Legal challenges exist, but a recent Supreme Court decision has strengthened the Trump administration’s authority to conduct such operations.
- Civil rights organizations have raised concerns about potential violations, racial profiling, and impacts on mixed-status families.
Unprecedented State-Federal Immigration Enforcement Collaboration
The Trump administration and Florida have joined forces to launch “Operation Tidal Wave,” an aggressive immigration enforcement initiative targeting undocumented immigrants with final deportation orders. The operation represents the most extensive coordination between federal and state authorities on immigration enforcement, involving more than 230 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout Florida. This massive deployment aims to detain approximately 800 undocumented immigrants who have already received final deportation orders from immigration courts, focusing on areas from Jacksonville to Miami, including Miami-Dade, Broward counties, Tallahassee, Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Myers.
The operation is being executed under the supervision of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who has prioritized revamping the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to accelerate deportation processes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed strong support for the federal effort, aligning state resources with President Trump’s broader immigration enforcement agenda. The unprecedented scale of local police participation demonstrates Florida’s commitment to enhanced immigration enforcement beyond what federal agencies could accomplish alone.
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Expanded Local Law Enforcement Powers
Operation Tidal Wave significantly expands the role of local law enforcement in immigration matters through the 287(g) program, which grants local police the authority to question, arrest, and detain suspected undocumented immigrants. Currently, approximately 130 Florida agencies actively participate in this program, with additional applications pending approval. The Miami City Council is currently debating whether to join, while Homestead has already voted to participate despite having a significant foreign-born population. This expansion represents a substantial shift in how immigration enforcement operates in Florida.
“Operation Tidal Wave is not just about numbers; it’s about sending a message,” the Trump administration said.
The operation prioritizes individuals with final deportation orders, especially those deemed threats to communities. An ICE spokesperson declined to provide specific operational details, stating: “Due to operational security reasons and for the safety of our law enforcement personnel, ICE does not confirm or discuss ongoing or future operations. The agency publicly announces the results of operations when appropriate.” This approach reflects the administration’s focus on what they term “criminal individuals or immigration violators” as primary targets for enforcement action.
Legal Challenges and Community Concerns
Despite the administration’s momentum, Operation Tidal Wave faces significant opposition from immigrant advocacy groups. The Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) has expressed serious concerns about potential civil rights violations, racial profiling, and the arrest of individuals with legal status or no criminal record. The operation occurs amid ongoing legal tensions regarding a new Florida state law that permits the arrest of illegal immigrants, despite a federal judge’s order blocking such arrests. This creates a complex legal landscape for the operation’s implementation across the state.
“This is a rush to meet an arbitrary number, but behind those numbers are fathers, mothers, siblings, friends, and neighbors; hard-working members of our communities who pay taxes and contribute to our state,” the Florida Immigration Coalition said in a statement.
Critics, including Democratic National Committee member Juan Cuba, have voiced concerns about the impact on mixed-status families, particularly in cities like Doral with large immigrant populations. FLIC and other advocacy groups argue that deputizing local agencies for immigration enforcement diverts resources from public safety duties and may exacerbate worker shortages in key industries. Despite these objections, more local departments are expected to join the 287(g) program in the coming months, further expanding the reach of Operation Tidal Wave throughout Florida and potentially serving as a model for similar initiatives in other states.
Sources:
- Florida Teams Up with Trump Admin to Hit Illegal Aliens with Unprecedented ‘Operation Tidal Wave’
- Florida Police Are Joining ICE on Deportation Raids – Newsweek
