In what is already considered the largest immigration operation in the history of the state of Florida, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the detention of 1,120 individuals between April 21 and April 26, 2025.
The federal and local authorities involved described the operation, called ‘Operation Black Tide’, as a historic deployment that sets a precedent for future immigration control actions at the state level.
Record immigration raid in Florida
The operation was carried out thanks to the collaboration of at least seven local Florida agencies along with ICE, with the support of federal agencies such as the DEA, FBI and ATF.
According to official data, those arrested include 437 people from Guatemala, 280 from Mexico, 153 from Honduras, 48 from Venezuela, 24 from El Salvador and 178 of other nationalities.
In addition, ICE noted that 63% of those detained had criminal records or prior convictions.
During a press conference, ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan noted that this is the largest number of arrests ever recorded by ICE in a single state in a single week.
He thanked the state agencies for their support and expressed the hope that this experience would become a ‘model of cooperation’ for other states.
What does DeSantis propose for future deportations?
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis strongly defended the operation, noting that his state should be ‘spearheading’ support for federal immigration enforcement.
In addition, he announced his intention to ask the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to authorize state agents to assume greater responsibilities, including the ability to expedite deportations by using members of the National Guard as immigration judges.
El éxito de la Operación Marea Negra es prueba de nuestro compromiso
Ron DeSantis, gobernador de Florida
However, DeSantis’ statements also set off alarms among civil rights organizations.
The governor downplayed the importance of due process for migrants, arguing that many of the individuals already have final orders of deportation.
He also denied that U.S. citizens are being affected by these policies.
Legal risks, rights concerns and erroneous cases
Despite this, there have been incidents of concern.
One of the most notorious cases was the arrest of Juan Carlos López Gómez, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen, who was wrongly detained by a Florida Highway Patrol officer who suspected he was undocumented.
Lopez Gomez was released only after his mother presented his birth certificate.
The episode occurred in the context of laws signed by DeSantis in February 2025, which toughen the treatment of undocumented immigrants in Florida.
These laws include increased penalties for those who commit crimes, more powers for authorities to question the immigration status of residents, and the strengthening of the controversial program for transporting migrants out of the state.
Record Immigration Raid in Florida: A Challenge
Buzzy
As Florida strengthens its role in the national immigration agenda, concerns are growing about legality, respect for human rights and possible racial profiling in the application of these policies.
For the U.S. Hispanic community, these developments represent not only a legal challenge, but also an urgent call to be informed, prepared and connected with legal and community support organizations.
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