Florida Gov. DeSantis Says Operation Tidal Wave Tops 10,000 Immigration Arrests Since 2025
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed that Operation Tidal Wave has reached over 10,000 immigration arrests, signaling a major moment in the state’s aggressive enforcement strategy. The announcement matters as Florida expands its role in immigration policy and state-federal cooperation.
The governor’s remarks came at a January news conference where he said the initiative has resulted in about 10,400 arrests since it launched eight months ago. That number includes people identified through state and federal enforcement partnerships, highlighting Florida’s legal authorities under 287(g) agreements with the Department of Homeland Security.
Operation Tidal Wave is being described by officials as the largest joint ICE enforcement operation in history, involving state officers and federal agencies like ICE, CBP, FBI and U.S. Marshals.
But questions remain about how arrests are counted, with some outlets noting an even larger cumulative total for wider state immigration actions outside just the operation’s core.
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“Since Operation Tidal Wave launched eight months ago, Florida law enforcement agencies have arrested more than 10,400 illegal aliens and worked with federal partners to remove them,” Gov. DeSantis said.
The milestone reflects Florida’s expanded use of 287(g) agreements, which allow local officers to enforce immigration law and could influence similar efforts in other states.
Critics of the approach have raised concerns about civil liberties and the diversion of local policing resources, creating ongoing debate around its broader effects.
State officials say enforcement will continue and are awaiting approval to open additional detention facilities to handle future arrests.
What happens next…
That will depend on federal cooperation and legal challenges tied to expanded state immigration authority.
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