Florida has sent shockwaves across the United States after Governor Ron DeSantis announced the largest joint immigration enforcement operation in the history of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The sweeping crackdown has already resulted in the arrest of more than 10,400 illegal immigrants statewide in just eight months.
The operation, known as “Operation Tidal Wave,” officially launched in April 2025 and represents an unprecedented level of cooperation between Florida law enforcement agencies, ICE, and the Department of Homeland Security. According to the governor, the initiative delivers results that Washington politicians have promised for decades but failed to achieve.
“This is the largest joint immigration enforcement operation in ICE’s history,” DeSantis said in a statement. “Florida is restoring law and order and protecting our communities.”
A key component of the operation has been the use of highway checkpoints and coordinated enforcement efforts, allowing authorities to identify and detain individuals efficiently and safely. Unlike sanctuary jurisdictions that restrict cooperation with federal authorities, Florida has fully embraced collaboration at every level of government.
Governor DeSantis emphasized that Florida now leads the nation in 287(g) agreements, which authorize state and local law enforcement officers to assist in immigration enforcement. All 67 Florida counties participate, enabling federal agencies to maximize limited resources while removing individuals without chaotic raids or dangerous street pursuits.
Since the launch of Operation Tidal Wave, Florida officers have worked directly with federal partners to ensure swift processing and deportations, making clear that this effort is not a temporary political gesture but a long-term strategy.
The aggressive enforcement builds on DeSantis’ broader immigration agenda, which includes expanding detention capacity and implementing policies designed to deter illegal entry. While leaders in blue states criticize such measures as harsh, Florida officials argue that enforcing the law is essential to public safety and economic stability.
The contrast with states like California, New York, and Illinois could not be sharper. While those states continue to expand sanctuary policies, Florida has demonstrated that decisive leadership produces measurable results.
DeSantis has repeatedly argued that strong immigration enforcement supports economic success rather than undermines it. Florida’s population growth, record tax relief, and economic expansion reinforce that message. The governor previously noted that the state gained more than $1 trillion in lifetime adjusted gross income as millions of Americans relocated from high-tax, high-crime states.
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Now, Operation Tidal Wave is being closely watched by other conservative-led states seeking a model for effective immigration enforcement. Florida has made its position clear: when leaders stop posturing and start governing, illegal immigration can be confronted head-on.