Over 100 undocumented migrants arrested at a Florida job site in major enforcement raid. Some had prior deportations, officials say.
More than 100 undocumented migrants were arrested at a Tallahassee
construction site in a major immigration enforcement operation, officials say.
Tallahassee, FL | In a coordinated federal and
state operation, over 100 undocumented immigrants were arrested at a
construction site in Florida’s capital city, Tallahassee, officials from
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) confirmed Thursday.
The large-scale enforcement action involved multiple agencies, including
HSI Tampa, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Florida Department of
Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles (FLHSMV), the FBI, ATF, and U.S. Marshals.
HSI stated that those detained originated from countries including
Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, and Honduras. Several
individuals had prior deportation orders or criminal records, officials noted.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier praised the crackdown, stating
on X (formerly Twitter): “In Florida, we are leading the charge to help the
Trump administration enforce federal immigration law… Detain. Deport. Deliver
for the American people.”
This marks the second high-profile enforcement action in Florida under
President Donald Trump’s revived immigration agenda. In April, a separate mass
arrest under the codename “Tidal Wave” also targeted undocumented individuals
with prior deportation orders.
The recent raid falls under the federal 287(g) program, which empowers
state law enforcement to collaborate directly with ICE on immigration
enforcement. It is part of Trump’s intensified immigration policy rollout using
the Alien Enemies Act of 1798—an arcane wartime statute that grants the
executive authority to detain or deport non-citizens. The law’s implementation
has faced ongoing legal challenges but was upheld by the Supreme Court,
provided that deportees have an opportunity to appeal their removal in court.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' office has yet to comment on the recent
operation, but state agencies have echoed strong support. FLHSMV posted: “We
will not tolerate illegal immigration. Florida is proud to support this massive
operation.”
Critics of the enforcement measures have raised concerns about due
process and the humanitarian impact on migrant families. Civil rights
organizations are monitoring the situation and assessing potential legal
responses.
As federal and state authorities double down on immigration crackdowns,
these mass arrests signal a potentially enduring shift in immigration
enforcement strategy in the state.
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