Only 63% of those detained have criminal records, according to ICE.
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: May 9, 2025
Host: Operation Tidal Wave swept up more than 1,000 migrants in Florida lacking permanent legal status. The stated intent was to capture criminals, but even the authorities say only 63% of those arrested for possible deportation had a criminal record. Ramon Lopez has the details.
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Ramon Lopez: There was shock and anger within Florida immigrant communities as over one thousand residents were swept away as part of Trump’s Operation Tidal Wave.
Photo via ICE.gov.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, says the week-long roundup of individuals at areas with high immigrant populations late last month will be followed up by other deportee dragnets statewide and nationwide.
In all, officials said federal agents and local law enforcement arrested 1,120 immigrants lacking permanent legal status during the weeklong joint operation in Florida the last week of April. Details about those arrested are slim.
ICE claims 63% of those arrested in Florida raids have criminal records.
Individuals from Latin America were apprehended. Officials allege they are members of foreign gangs. Nearly 400 are already listed for removal from the United States. The others are in ICE custody awaiting appearances before immigration judges.
The feds were supported by Florida cops, including the Highway Patrol, with the backing of Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. He said he is “proud” of securing our borders and enforcing immigration law. President Trump took office, promising mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.
“We are not criminals. We build your houses; we cut your grass; we cook your food; we make America great,” one demonstrator’s sign reads.
Groups that support immigrant communities are angered by the ICE deep freeze on those targeted. They said some of those arrested without warrants have no criminal records and are not members of violent gangs. They question the validity of the ICE operation. They said some U.S. citizens were caught up in the roundups.
It is reported that Abel Delgado, president of the Miami-Dade Democratic Hispanic Caucus, is not opposed to federal immigration agents going after what White House border czar Tom Homan has called the “worst of the worst.” But he fears that ICE raids like Operation Tidal Wave are extending beyond that.
Numerous Florida communities approved an agreement to allow 230 local law enforcement agencies to help ICE agents in their roundups.
This effort appeared to target people in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and the cities of Orlando, Jacksonville and Tallahassee.
The Sarasota and Manatee County sheriff’s offices did not take part in this operation.
Locals have seen a noticeable uptick in law enforcement in rural Florida towns, causing cancellation of some Latino events and growing apprehension among community members.
This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
WSLR News aims to keep the local community informed with our 1/2 hour local news show, quarterly newspaper and social media feeds. The local news broadcast airs on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm.