Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dropped a political and law-and-order bombshell this week, announcing that his administration has partnered with federal authorities on what is now the largest joint immigration enforcement operation in the history of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The results are exactly what voters demanded: more than 10,400 illegal aliens arrested across the Sunshine State in just eight months.
In a statement posted to X, DeSantis confirmed that the sweeping crackdown began in April 2025 under a coordinated effort dubbed “Operation Tidal Wave.” The operation relies heavily on highway checkpoint strategies and direct cooperation between Florida law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. According to the governor, this unprecedented collaboration has already delivered results that Washington politicians have talked about for decades but failed to achieve.
“In April 2025, Florida partnered with federal law enforcement in the largest joint immigration enforcement operation in ICE’s history,” DeSantis wrote. “Today, I was proud to announce a new milestone in our joint efforts to combat illegal immigration and restore order in our communities.”
The numbers are staggering. More than 10,400 illegal immigrants have been arrested statewide, with Florida law enforcement working hand-in-hand with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security to process removals efficiently and safely. Unlike sanctuary jurisdictions that actively obstruct enforcement, Florida has embraced cooperation at every level of government.
DeSantis emphasized that Florida now leads the nation in 287(g) agreements, which deputize state and local officers to assist in immigration enforcement. Every one of Florida’s 67 counties participates. That level of coordination has allowed federal agencies to stretch limited resources further while removing dangerous individuals without chaotic street chases or last-minute raids.
Since Operation Tidal Wave launched, Florida officers have not only arrested illegal aliens but also worked directly with federal partners to ensure swift deportations. The governor made clear this is not a one-off effort designed for headlines. It is an ongoing strategy that will continue as long as illegal immigration threatens public safety and economic stability.
This aggressive enforcement approach builds on DeSantis’ broader immigration agenda, which includes expanded detention capacity and policies designed to deter illegal entry altogether. While blue-state leaders wring their hands and accuse law enforcement of cruelty, Florida has chosen a different path: enforcing the law, protecting citizens, and restoring order.
The contrast with states like California, New York, and Illinois could not be sharper. While those states double down on sanctuary policies and blame federal inaction, Florida has proven that states do not need permission to act decisively. Leadership matters, and results follow.
DeSantis has repeatedly argued that strong immigration enforcement goes hand-in-hand with economic success, not against it. Florida’s booming economy, record tax relief, and population growth all tell the same story. In a post last December, the governor noted that Florida has gained more than $1 trillion in lifetime adjusted gross income as 1.5 million Americans chose to leave high-tax, high-crime states and move south.
Operation Tidal Wave is now being watched closely by other red states looking for a roadmap. Florida has shown that when elected leaders stop posturing and start governing, illegal immigration can be confronted head-on. Once again, Florida isn’t just talking about solutions. It’s delivering them.
