This Thursday, May 29, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, along with the Florida Highway Patrol(FHP), detained more than 100 migrant workers at a construction site in Tallahassee, the state capital, in a raid.
The operation occurred at an apartment construction site near Florida State University. The detainees come from countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras. According to ICE, several of them had been previously deported or had criminal records, although others had no criminal history, which has generated controversy.
Operation High Tide
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This raid in Florida is part of “Operation Tidal Wave”, launched in early May by the state government in collaboration with ICE.
The operation has resulted in more than 1,100 arrests in just one month, the highest number ever recorded in a state action of this type.
Several of them had already been deported previously
The Tampa Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the operation.
In images shared by ICE, dozens of workers are seen lined up in a row under surveillance by agents.
Reactions and concerns
Organizations such as the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) denounced the raid through social media.
They shared videos of the arrests, including the testimony of a woman crying as her husband was arrested.
State Attorney General James Uthmeier defended the action by stating that Florida is “leading the effort to assist the Trump Administration in enforcing federal immigration law.”
However, immigrant advocates have criticized the lack of transparency and the human impact of these raids.
They warn that many of those detained may have pending asylum applications or temporary work permits, and that these actions severely affect working families.
To be taken into account
For migrants in Florida and throughout the U.S., this raid represents a warning.
Legal organizations recommend:
Know your rights in case of detention
Have a family emergency plan
Consult with immigration attorneys
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
