This past weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were caught on video conducting operations in Little Havana, a Miami neighborhood known for its large population of Cuban and Latin American immigrants. These videos and social media posts quickly circulated within the community.
Journalist Javier Díaz shared on Facebook that an ICE raid took place on Saturday at 146 NW 9th Ave in Little Havana. “An ICE raid was confirmed this Saturday in Little Havana, Miami. Agents were recorded at this address: 146 NW 9th Ave. It remains unclear if any arrests were made,” Díaz wrote.
On Friday, images and footage of ICE agents questioning individuals about their immigration status at the corner of SW 2nd Street and 9th Avenue also spread widely.
The recordings depict agents in unmarked vehicles with their faces covered. Reports accompanying the footage suggest that at least one of the individuals questioned had legal status in the United States.
Community Concerns and Unconfirmed Operations
Univision also reported on the alleged operations that the immigrant community in Little Havana and other parts of Miami-Dade County brought to light over the weekend, supported by photos and videos taken by local residents.
In one instance, two Nicaraguan citizens, identified by family members as José Jartin, 35, and Benito Amaya, 42, were detained. Their relatives claim both were in the process of applying for asylum at the time of their arrest.
Neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially confirmed any coordinated operation in Little Havana. DHS maintains that its agents act on reasonable suspicion in accordance with the Fourth Amendment and denies engaging in racial profiling.
ICE Activity Intensifies in South Florida
The weekend operations are part of a consistent increase in ICE activity in South Florida throughout 2026. The Miami ICE office has led the nation in immigration arrests, averaging 120 detentions daily and over 41,000 arrests from January 2025 to April 2026. In July 2026 alone, ICE processed nearly 6,000 individuals at detention centers in the Miami area.
The Cuban community hasn’t been spared from this pressure. ICE arrests of Cubans surged by 463% between late 2024 and early 2026, and Florida's immigration courts issued more than 4,000 deportation orders against Cubans from October 2025 to June 2026.
The economic repercussions of these operations have also been noted: academic studies estimate consumption losses between $3.1 billion and $14 billion and the loss of 668,000 jobs in 86 metropolitan areas across the nation, according to a Brookings analysis.
Impact of ICE Raids in Miami
What was the location of the ICE raid in Little Havana?
The ICE raid in Little Havana took place at 146 NW 9th Ave.
Were any individuals arrested during the ICE operations?
The details of any arrests remain unclear, although two Nicaraguan citizens were reportedly detained.
How has ICE activity changed in South Florida recently?
ICE activity has intensified, with the Miami office leading in national arrests, averaging 120 detentions daily and over 41,000 arrests from January 2025 to April 2026.