The wife of a Florida Coast Guard member was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities on Thursday for allegedly having an expired visa. She now faces possible deportation. The spouse of the active-duty Coast Guard member was apprehended in the residential section of the family housing at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida, after being flagged during a routine security check, various news agencies reported on Saturday.
"The spouse is not a member of the Coast Guard and was detained by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) under a lawful removal order," stated Coast Guard spokesperson Steve Roth in a press release confirming the arrest. Roth emphasized that the Coast Guard collaborates closely with HSI and other entities to enforce federal laws, including immigration regulations.
An official, speaking anonymously to The New York Post, revealed that the woman's work visa expired around 2017, and she was marked for removal from the United States a few years later. The woman's identity has not been disclosed, but it was noted that she and the Coast Guard member were married in early 2025. On Wednesday, as they were preparing to move into government housing, they visited the base's visitor center to obtain a pass for her to enter the Key West facility.
During the necessary routine security check to access the base, her name was flagged as "problematic." Consequently, base personnel contacted the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and with permission from the base commander, officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) went to the Coast Guard member's residence to detain her.
Over 800 migrants have been detained in Florida during the initial days of Operation Tidal Wave, a comprehensive immigration control initiative led by federal and state authorities. According to the official ICE account on X, this unprecedented operation saw ICE Miami agents, in collaboration with state law enforcement bodies in Florida, making arrests during the first four days of the campaign.
Operation Tidal Wave marks a unique collaboration between federal and state agencies to intensify immigration law enforcement. In its statement, ICE highlighted the exceptional support provided by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and expressed gratitude to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for its commitment to public safety. The operation, described as a "significant multi-agency effort," aims to strengthen immigration control mechanisms and foster new partnerships between law enforcement bodies and federal authorities under the 287(g) program agreements.
Key Questions on Immigration Control in Florida
What led to the detention of the Coast Guard member's wife?
She was detained due to an expired visa, which was flagged during a routine security check at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Key West.
What is Operation Tidal Wave?
Operation Tidal Wave is a coordinated immigration enforcement initiative by federal and state authorities in Florida, aiming to intensify the enforcement of immigration laws.
Who supports Operation Tidal Wave?
The operation is supported by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with various state law enforcement agencies.