Florida Leads Nation in ICE Collaboration, Sparking Protests and Concerns

Florida leads the nation in participation in the ICE 287(g) program, with over 230 public security agencies collaborating with federal immigration authorities, including the controversial 'working group' model that permits local officers to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants outside of jails. This heightened enforcement has sparked protests, with immigrant rights groups and local residents objecting to county-level cooperation with ICE, arguing it threatens immigrants' safety and civil rights. Governor Ron DeSantis praised the recent Operation Tidal Wave, which resulted in the arrest of more than 1,100 people accused of being in the country illegally, positioning it as a model for national immigration enforcement. These actions are part of a broader trend under Donald Trump's push for mass deportations, with similar enforcement efforts seen in other states like North Carolina. Critics, including immigrant advocates and some law enforcement officials, warn that such collaborations can erode community trust and deter immigrants from seeking help from police. The intensified focus on local-federal immigration partnerships continues to generate controversy and mobilize protest across affected communities.