Florida leads the way, assisting ICE to apprehend illegal aliens.

The state has also been working closely with federal agencies like ICE and local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws and enhance public safety.

• Operation Tidal Wave: A joint effort between Florida and federal law enforcement that led to the arrest of over 1,100 illegal immigrants, including gang members and those with criminal records.

• Florida Immigration Enforcement Board: A new entity established to coordinate with federal immigration agencies like ICE to enforce immigration laws locally.

• 287(g) Agreements: Formal agreements between Florida law enforcement and federal agencies to assist in immigration enforcement.

The law has faced legal challenges and is currently blocked by a temporary court injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams on April 5, 2025. The injunction prevents the law from being enforced until further litigation is resolved.

Despite the injunction, Florida has continued to engage in large-scale immigration enforcement operations. For example, in a recent six-day operation called “Operation Tidal Wave,” more than 1,100 illegal immigrants were arrested, marking the largest number of arrests in a single state in one week in ICE’s history.