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🚨 A sweeping six-day immigration crackdown in Florida has led to over 1,100 arrests, marking one of ICE's largest single-state operations in recent history. The coordinated effort reflects the Trump administration’s deepening reliance on local law enforcement to enforce immigration rules.
ICE Teams Up with Florida Agencies
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) collaborated with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the state's Department of Corrections in April for a mass enforcement action across various communities.
Officials say the campaign was aimed at individuals with existing deportation orders and those with criminal records. According to ICE, more than 60% of the individuals arrested had prior arrests or convictions.
“Force Multiplier” Strategy Expands Nationwide
“This approach creates a force multiplier across the country,” said ICE Deputy Director Madison D. Sheahan, referring to the model’s planned expansion. ICE officials view such partnerships as a way to streamline deportations by involving more hands in enforcement.
Local Police Now Have Greater Immigration Powers
Under the 287(g) program, ICE has signed more than 400 agreements with local agencies this year alone. These agreements authorize local police to support ICE’s efforts directly—extending beyond jails to immigration-related arrests in the field.
Austin Kocher, a Syracuse University researcher, notes that over 200 of these agreements allow local officers to make immigration arrests independently, offering ICE more flexibility and manpower.
Potential Benefits and Regional Limitations
Scott Shuchart, a former ICE official during the Biden administration, believes this collaboration may relieve ICE agents to handle other key tasks such as flight coordination and document processing. However, he also warned that this tactic is likely to be limited to states actively supporting immigration enforcement, like Texas and Florida.
Civil Liberties Groups Raise Concerns
Despite the push for expanded cooperation, the program has drawn criticism. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) cautioned local agencies about the risks, citing concerns over civil rights violations, public safety issues, and financial burdens.
A 2010 DHS report also criticized earlier ICE-local collaborations for not complying with established rules. By 2012, the Obama administration had ended such agreements for field arrests and shifted focus to inmates already in local custody.
Conclusion
As the Trump administration pushes forward with mass deportation plans, Florida’s operation may serve as a blueprint for future crackdowns across the U.S. However, public backlash and legal scrutiny could influence how widely this model is adopted.
