### Record Immigration Sweep in Florida: A Major Enforcement Operation In a significant immigration enforcement operation, Florida authorities, in collaboration with federal agencies, arrested a record 1,120 individuals accused of being in the U.S. illegally within a week. This operation, termed "Operation Tidal Wave," was conducted from April 21 to April 26, 2025, and is noted as the largest coordinated immigration enforcement effort in Florida's history. Officials attribute the success of this operation to the increasing involvement of local police departments and state agencies in federal immigration initiatives, particularly under the Trump administration's policies aimed at mass deportations [https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/world-news/20250503/ice-joins-desantis-touting-one-week-record-arrests, https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/ice-desantis-tout-record-1-120-illegal-immigrant-arrests-in-one-week-in-us-125050101214_1.html]. ### Overview of the Operation and Its Implications 1. **Operation Details**: - Conducted from April 21 to April 26, 2025. - Involved federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. - Resulted in the arrest of 1,120 individuals, primarily from Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras [https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2025/may/02/1120-arrested-in-florida-sweep, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-01/florida-immigration-raids-net-1-120-arrests-in-record-operation]. 2. **Government Response**: - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis praised the operation, indicating it as a precursor to future enforcement actions. - Officials emphasized the operation's role in reinforcing the state's commitment to immigration enforcement [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ron-desantis-donald-trump-fernando-texas-greg-abbott-b2743387.html, https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2025-05-01/florida-leads-as-state-and-local-governments-sign-on-for-trumps-mass-deportations]. 3. **Community Impact**: - The operation has raised concerns among immigrant communities regarding increased fear and uncertainty. - Local law enforcement's involvement in federal immigration enforcement has sparked debates about community trust and safety [https://www.thehill.com/policy/international/5277814-florida-arrests-undocumented-migrants, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/01/nation/florida-six-day-ice-operation-1000-arrests]. ### Data and Statistics from the Operation - **Total Arrests**: 1,120 individuals arrested. - **Duration**: April 21-26, 2025. - **Demographics**: Many arrested were from Central American countries, including Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras. - **Operation Significance**: Largest immigration enforcement operation in Florida's history, marking a shift in local law enforcement's role in immigration matters [https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/may/01/more-than-1100-arrested-in-6-day-florida-immigrati, https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/gov-desantis-speaks-at-ice-ero-miramar]. ### Conclusion: A New Era of Immigration Enforcement in Florida The recent immigration sweep in Florida represents a pivotal moment in the state's approach to immigration enforcement, characterized by: 1. **Unprecedented Scale**: The operation's scale, with over 1,120 arrests, underscores a significant escalation in immigration enforcement efforts. 2. **Political Support**: Governor DeSantis's backing highlights the political momentum behind such operations, aligning with broader national policies under the Trump administration. 3. **Future Implications**: Officials suggest that this operation is just the beginning, indicating a sustained focus on immigration enforcement in the state [https://www.fox13news.com/news/desantis-announces-largest-immigration-operation-florida-history, https://www.local10.com/news/local/2025/04/29/hundreds-of-immigrants-arrested-in-florida-as-part-of-massive-operation]. This operation not only reflects the current political climate surrounding immigration but also sets the stage for future enforcement actions that may further impact immigrant communities across Florida.