This week, federal authorities launched an extensive operation in Florida aimed at apprehending and deporting approximately 800 undocumented immigrants. This marks the first coordinated immigration enforcement effort between the federal government and state police since the Trump administration took office. The initiative, known as Operation Black Tide, was initiated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday and is set to continue through Saturday.
According to documents acquired by the Miami Herald, the operation is specifically targeting individuals with final deportation orders or criminal records in various areas of the state, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Stuart, Tallahassee, and Fort Myers. While the exact number of arrests by Wednesday remains unconfirmed, this operation signifies a substantial shift in immigration strategy, highlighting the increasing collaboration between DHS and Florida's law enforcement agencies.
Enhanced Local-Federal Collaboration
Through the 287(g) program, which allows local police to perform limited immigration enforcement duties, over 230 law enforcement agencies in Florida have entered agreements to participate, making Florida the leading state for such collaborations nationwide. These partnerships include local police departments, university security forces, and even divisions like the Florida Lottery Department's security division.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency refrained from commenting directly on the operation, citing security reasons. However, a spokesperson mentioned that ICE routinely arrests immigrants who have committed crimes or violated immigration laws, with results announced publicly when deemed appropriate.
Controversy and Community Impact
The cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement in Florida has intensified significantly since Donald Trump's return to the presidency. Under Governor Ron DeSantis, the state has actively promoted the federal 287(g) program, allowing local law enforcement agencies to undertake federal immigration law enforcement duties.
This program has been embraced by over 200 jurisdictions in Florida, including cities like Hialeah, Doral, Fort Myers, and Orlando. In Hialeah, for instance, the agreement enables police officers to work with ICE in identifying, arresting, and detaining undocumented immigrants, raising concerns among immigrant rights advocates about potential impacts on community trust and fears of unwarranted persecution.
In Doral, where about 70% of the population is foreign-born, the unanimous approval of a resolution to cooperate with ICE has sparked controversy, especially within the sizeable Venezuelan community, which fears an uptick in arrests and deportations. However, not all cities have embraced this collaboration without objection. South Miami, for example, has sought legal protection to prevent its local police force from becoming an extension of federal immigration policies, citing the need to maintain local autonomy and protect community-police trust.
This growing collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement in Florida has fostered an atmosphere of fear and distrust among immigrant communities, who fear being targeted for arrests and deportations, even for minor infractions. Immigrant rights organizations have voiced concerns over potential negative impacts on crime reporting and the erosion of trust in local authorities.
Questions About Operation Black Tide in Florida
What is Operation Black Tide?
Operation Black Tide is a large-scale immigration enforcement operation initiated by the Department of Homeland Security in Florida, aimed at detaining and deporting approximately 800 undocumented immigrants with final deportation orders or criminal records.
How does the 287(g) program work?
The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement agencies to perform limited immigration enforcement duties, such as identifying and detaining undocumented immigrants, in collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
Why are immigrant rights groups concerned about this operation?
Immigrant rights groups are concerned that the increased cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement could lead to unwarranted persecution, a decrease in crime reporting, and a significant erosion of trust within immigrant communities.