The Trump administration’s commitment to making American streets safer took a significant step this week in Florida, where nearly 800 immigrants were arrested in a robust operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement.
See the tweet below!
This move fulfills promises made to preserve law and order by removing dangerous criminals.
The operation, dubbed Operation Tidal Wave, targeted individuals with final deportation orders and involved comprehensive cooperation among federal and local authorities.
Nearly 800 individuals, including MS-13 gang members and convicted criminals, were taken into custody during this four-day crackdown.
The Florida initiative was the first conducted under a formal arrangement with state law enforcement known as a 287(g) agreement.
ICE’s resumption of collateral arrests allowed agents to apprehend other migrants found in the vicinity of targeted individuals, maximizing the operation’s effectiveness.
Homeland Security Secretary Krisiti Noem justified these actions, emphasizing the focus on arresting and deporting criminal illegal aliens.
“This is a warning to all criminal illegal aliens: We’re coming for you, @DHSgov, @ICEgov, and our state partners will hunt you down, arrest and deport you. That’s a promise,” she wrote on X.
Her clear stance underscores the administration’s dedication to restoring order.
“President Trump and I have a clear message to those in our country illegally: LEAVE NOW. If you do not self-deport, we will hunt you down, arrest you and deport you,” Noem added.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, proud of this cooperation, stated, “Florida will ensure its laws are followed, and when it comes to immigration − the days of inaction are over. Govern yourselves accordingly.”
He credited the operation’s success to the diligence and collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
The operation involved extensive research and surveillance, underscoring the administration’s commitment to its immigration enforcement goals.
Notably, individuals arrested included notorious figures like Jose Sanchez Reyes, a Colombian convict, and Rafael Juarex Cabrera, an alleged MS-13 gang member.
“Almost 800 aliens including MS-13 gang members, including convicted murders, rapists, all these people are now off our streets who have otherwise been acting with impunity and terrorizing U.S. communities. You are going to be seeing this throughout the country,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Public Affairs.
In a first-of-its-kind partnership between state and federal partners, ICE Miami and Florida law enforcement arrested nearly 800 illegal aliens this week during the first four days of #OperationTidalWave — a massive, multi-agency, immigration enforcement crackdown.
💡Learn how… pic.twitter.com/LbH3j4OJU9
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) April 26, 2025
Despite some criticism regarding potential impacts on families, the operation stands as a testament to the administration’s resolve to protect its citizens by enforcing existing laws.
As acting ICE Director Todd Lyons noted, “It’s the first of its kind…using state, local and county law enforcement…is significant.”
Operation Tidal Wave illustrates the Trump administration’s unwavering commitment to upholding American laws and prioritizing citizen safety above all else.
With operations continuing nationwide, Florida is just the beginning of this critical enforcement era.
