In what officials are calling the largest joint immigration enforcement operation in Florida’s history, a weeklong initiative concluded on April 26th with the arrest of 1,120 criminal aliens.
This unprecedented operation, dubbed “Tidal Wave” by some involved agencies, marked a first-of-its-kind collaboration between federal and state law enforcement organizations.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), spearheading the effort, worked in tandem with partners from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and numerous state and local agencies across Florida. According to ICE, 63 percent of those apprehended had existing criminal arrests or convictions, highlighting the focus on individuals deemed a threat to public safety.
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Among those arrested were 378 individuals with final orders of removal issued by an immigration judge. Authorities reported apprehending violent offenders, gang members, sex offenders, fugitives from justice, and individuals posing significant public safety threats. Disturbingly, the arrests included alleged members of several notorious and violent transnational criminal organizations, such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Brown Pride Aztecas, Barrio Azteca, Surenos (Sur-13), and the 18th Street Gang.
The individuals arrested originated from various countries, with the largest contingents coming from Guatemala (437), Mexico (280), and Honduras (153). Other nationalities included Venezuela (48), El Salvador (24), and 178 individuals from other nations.
ICE officials stated that those arrested with final orders of removal or who had illegally re-entered the U.S. after deportation are subject to immediate removal. The remaining individuals are currently in ICE custody awaiting due process before an immigration judge or are pending travel arrangements for their removal.
“Last week’s operational success of arresting more than 1,100 criminal illegal aliens was truly a collaborative whole-of-government effort by our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Florida,” stated ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan. “Every day, our officers take to the streets and put their lives on the line to apprehend and remove dangerous criminal aliens, transnational gang members and foreign fugitives who have illegally entered the U.S. We are united in our determination to restore integrity to our nation’s immigration system and enhance public safety for all Americans.”
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Florida has been at the forefront of state-level immigration enforcement through its extensive participation in the 287(g) program, which allows ICE to delegate certain immigration enforcement functions to state and local law enforcement under federal supervision. Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the state’s commitment to this partnership.
“I’ve insisted that Florida be the tip of the spear when it comes to state support of federal immigration enforcement. The success of Operation Tidal Wave is proof of our commitment,” said Governor DeSantis. “Florida is proud to work closely with the Trump administration and help deliver on the 2024 mandate from America that our borders be secured and our immigration laws be followed. We will continue to engage in broad interior enforcement efforts.”
CBP Miami Sector Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Dinise echoed this sentiment, stating, “Dangerous criminals have no place in our country. We will apply CBP’s collective intelligence and operational capabilities to target those here illegally who endanger our citizens and the American way of life. Collaborative enforcement efforts such as Operation Tidal Wave, with our DHS and state of Florida law enforcement partners, leverages each of our unique authorities to protect against threats. We look forward to continuing the vital partnership with the State of Florida as we all work toward our shared goal of keeping our communities safe and our nation secure.”
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The operation saw significant contributions from various federal agencies, including ICE Homeland Security Investigations, CBP, the FBI, the DEA, the ATF, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The state of Florida provided substantial support through agencies like the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission, Florida National Guard, and Florida’s Division of Emergency Management.
Several sheriff’s offices across Florida also played a crucial role in the operation, including those in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Clay, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Orange, Pinellas, St. Johns, Sumter, and Volusia counties.
Authorities highlighted several egregious cases from the operation, illustrating the criminal histories and public safety concerns associated with some of those arrested:
- Ciro Ramon Castaneda Perez (Venezuela): A known member of the violent Tren de Aragua gang with a final order of removal, arrested in Holly Hill after a traffic stop revealed cocaine residue and paraphernalia.
- Carlos Eduardo Perez Perez (Venezuela): A suspected associate of Tren de Aragua, initially apprehended by Border Patrol in Texas and ordered removed in August 2024.
- Rafael Juarez Cabrera (Guatemala): A documented MS-13 gang member arrested after a conviction for illegal re-entry, having been previously removed three times.
- Luis Melito Gonzalez Arrellanno (Mexico): An active member of the Brown Pride Aztecas gang with a criminal history including armed carjacking, weapons charges, fraud, and illegal re-entry after deportation. He had a final order of removal.
- Aron Isaak Morazan Izaguirre (Honduras): A known or suspected terrorist and member of the 18th Street Gang, with two prior illegal re-entries.
- Miguel Rodriguez Gonzalez (Honduras): An active member of the Barrio Azteca gang with a criminal history including assault, burglary, drug possession, fraud, and illegal re-entry after deportation.
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