In January, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that between 10,000 and 20,000 illegal aliens had been arrested in Florida by state and local police working with federal law enforcement.
According to an article in Center Square, Florida is the state with the most agencies affiliated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The role of last year’s partnership between local and state law enforcement agencies and ICE consists of helping federal agents “deport mobile aliens involved in gang activity, violent crime, human smuggling, organized crime, sex crimes, drug smuggling, money laundering, and many other crimes.”
According to the governor’s office, all sheriff’s offices in the state participate in ICE’s federal program.
Local agencies working with ICE include 170 police departments, 12 state agencies, and 15 state universities.
Governor DeSantis said Operation Tidal Wave is the first program of its kind in the nation and the largest joint immigration enforcement operation in ICE history.
“Florida is proud to lead the nation in cracking down on illegal immigration and serve as a force multiplier to help President Trump restore our nation’s sovereignty,” DeSantis said.
ICE officials added that “Operation Tidal Wave not only reduces the number of individuals who pose a danger to Florida’s communities, but also sets a precedent for how states can play an active role in supplementing federal immigration enforcement.”
