See How Florida Crushed 1,120 Criminal Aliens and Gang Members in a Single Week

In a single week, Florida rewrote the playbook on immigration enforcement. Operation Tidal Wave, a joint effort between federal and state law enforcement, swept up 1,120 criminal aliens from April 21 to April 26, 2025. This wasn’t just a raid; it was a thunderous declaration that America’s borders and communities will no longer be playgrounds for lawbreakers. With 63% of those arrested already tied to criminal records, the operation zeroed in on the worst of the worst: gang members, sex offenders, and fugitives who thought they could hide in plain sight.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Violent gangs like MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and the 18th Street Gang have sunk their claws into American soil, trafficking drugs, extorting businesses, and sowing fear. Florida’s response, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, proves that decisive action can reclaim order. This wasn’t about optics; it was about protecting families, businesses, and the rule of law from those who exploit open borders.

Contrast this with the chaos of past years, when lax enforcement let criminal networks flourish. The Biden administration’s catch-and-release policies turned cities into sanctuaries for lawlessness, leaving communities to pay the price. Florida’s operation flips that script, showing what happens when leaders prioritize safety over sentimentality. It’s a wake-up call for every state dodging its duty to enforce the law.

This isn’t just Florida’s fight. It’s America’s. Operation Tidal Wave sets a blazing example for a nation tired of watching its sovereignty erode. When state and federal forces unite, the results speak for themselves: 1,120 reasons to believe law and order can prevail.

Operation Tidal Wave’s success hinges on a simple truth: collaboration works. Florida’s unmatched participation in the 287(g) program, which empowers local law enforcement to tackle immigration violations under federal oversight, turned the state into a fortress against crime. Every county in Florida, alongside agencies like the Florida Highway Patrol and local sheriff’s offices, joined the fight. The result? A historic haul of 1,120 arrests, including 378 individuals already ordered removed by immigration judges.

The numbers tell a grim story. Among those nabbed were members of MS-13, a gang notorious for its brutality, and Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan syndicate spreading like wildfire. Take Ciro Ramon Castaneda Perez, a Tren de Aragua member caught with cocaine residue in his car, or Rafael Juarez Cabrera, an MS-13 operative deported three times before. These aren’t victims; they’re predators who thrive in the shadows of weak enforcement.

Florida’s model exposes the folly of so-called sanctuary policies. Jurisdictions that shield criminals from ICE don’t just defy federal law; they betray their own citizens. Studies show immigrants are less likely to commit crimes overall, but that’s irrelevant when the focus is on those with rap sheets. The 63% of arrestees with prior convictions in Operation Tidal Wave weren’t hypothetical threats; they were documented dangers. Cities that obstruct ICE risk becoming havens for the next gang leader or fugitive.

DeSantis gets it. His insistence on making Florida the “tip of the spear” for immigration enforcement isn’t bravado; it’s necessity. With over 500 287(g) agreements nationwide and 38 states following suit, the momentum is clear. States that refuse to join this effort aren’t just shirking responsibility; they’re inviting chaos.

Predictably, the usual voices cry foul. Advocates for open borders claim mass enforcement tears families apart and erodes trust in law enforcement. They point to data suggesting immigrants commit fewer crimes, ignoring the targeted nature of operations like Tidal Wave. These aren’t random sweeps; they’re surgical strikes against documented threats. The 1,120 arrests didn’t target churchgoers or day laborers; they focused on gang members, sex offenders, and repeat offenders like Luis Melito Gonzalez Arrellanno, a Brown Pride Aztecas member with a history of armed carjacking.

The argument that 287(g) programs strain local resources or foster profiling doesn’t hold water either. Florida’s operation leaned on federal support, with ICE, CBP, and the FBI pooling resources to identify high-priority targets. Local agencies didn’t divert from fighting local crime; they amplified their impact by tackling transnational threats. As for profiling, the arrestees’ rap sheets speak for themselves: 437 from Guatemala, 280 from Mexico, 153 from Honduras. These aren’t ethnic quotas; they’re the demographics of crime in this context.

Then there’s the due process complaint. Critics lament the detention of those awaiting removal hearings, but the system isn’t broken; it’s deliberate. Those with final orders of removal, like 378 of the arrestees, have already had their day in court. Expedited removal for repeat offenders isn’t cruelty; it’s accountability. The real injustice is letting dangerous individuals roam free while backlogged immigration courts grind to a halt.

Florida’s triumph isn’t a one-off. It’s a scalable model for every state committed to public safety. The 287(g) program, now booming with over 500 agreements nationwide, proves that local law enforcement can extend ICE’s reach without breaking the bank. States like Texas and Virginia are already following Florida’s lead, passing laws to mandate cooperation with federal enforcement. This isn’t about overreach; it’s about shared responsibility.

The broader context underscores the urgency. Transnational gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua don’t respect borders. In the first 100 days of 2025, ICE arrested 2,288 gang members nationwide. These groups exploit weak enforcement to traffic drugs, weapons, and fear. Florida’s operation shows how to hit back: coordinated, relentless, and unapologetic.

History backs this approach. The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act expanded grounds for deportation, targeting criminal aliens. It worked then, and it works now. Project 2025’s call for mass deportations and expedited removals builds on that legacy, rejecting the paralysis of past administrations. Florida’s success proves the playbook is sound.

Operation Tidal Wave isn’t just a victory; it’s a promise kept. Americans demanded secure borders and safe communities in 2024, and Florida delivered. DeSantis’s leadership, paired with federal resolve, shows what’s possible when excuses give way to action. The 1,120 arrests are a start, not an endpoint. With plans to replicate this model nationwide, the message is clear: no sanctuary for criminals, no mercy for chaos.

The path forward demands courage. States must join Florida in embracing 287(g) partnerships, cracking down on gang activity, and restoring trust in the rule of law. Every American deserves to live without fear of the next MS-13 or Tren de Aragua operative. Florida’s bold strike proves it’s not just possible; it’s happening. The question is whether the rest of the nation will follow.