Florida Arrests 25,000 Immigrants Under Operation Tidal Wave

Governor Ron DeSantis and state law enforcement leaders announced a massive expansion of immigration enforcement in Florida, headlined by Operation Tidal Wave. Launched in February 2026, the initiative has resulted in nearly 25,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants statewide. The state has scaled its 287(g) program, increasing designated officers from 5,000 in January 2025 to nearly 8,000, making Florida the only state where all sheriffs participate in the federal program.

Recent efforts include Operation 9, a three-day sweep led by the Florida Highway Patrol that arrested 249 individuals, many of whom officials described as ghosts due to a lack of prior law enforcement records. Other targeted initiatives include Operation Sandhill Sentinel, which arrested 250 foreign nationals in south Florida, and Operation Criminal Return, which focused on sex offenders and felons. Additionally, Operation LOCATE identified over 400 unaccompanied migrant children.

These surges follow a state grand jury investigation that uncovered human trafficking and neglect of immigrant children, noting that the federal government lost track of more than 20,000 children within the state. DeSantis stated that Florida will use all available resources to identify dangerous individuals and support federal enforcement, emphasizing a historic level of cooperation between state, local, and federal agencies.