Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a series of raids on construction and landscaping sites in the city of Wildwood this Wednesday, a situation that caused panic among the workers present.
During these operations, ICE detained more than two dozen undocumented immigrants, many of whom had been previously deported, several media outlets reported.
According to official reports, the arrested individuals are from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
The raids were conducted with the collaboration of various federal and state agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), HSI Tampa, ERO Miami, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Authorities reported that these actions are part of a broader effort to strengthen surveillance at workplaces that hire individuals without legal authorization.
On social media, reports and videos of the arrests went viral quickly.
Activist Carlos Eduardo Espina published several videos of the raids and denounced that they are happening despite the vulnerability of migrant workers.
Her post has generated dozens of comments, including one from the user mariluz1909, who wrote: “How shocking, taking them away from where they are only working.”
For her part, Barbie Rogers, candidate for Congress from Florida's 11th district, confirmed on her official account that at least two dozen workers were detained in The Villages area, where several of the intervened sites are located.
These actions reignite the debate over the immigration policy of the state of Florida and the government of Donald Trump, particularly regarding the presence of undocumented workers in essential sectors of the economy.
In February, anti-immigrant raids in Florida began to impact local businesses, which were struggling not only with the lack of foreign workers but also with a decrease in customers.
In the southern part of the state, where Hispanics are crucial to the service economy and tourism, the government's crackdown on illegal immigration began to reduce the presence of employees in workplaces as they chose to stay home due to the risk of deportation.
On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis introduced a controversial immigration proposal that would allow the state's National Guard to act as a judicial authority in deportation processes and empower the Highway Patrol (FHP) to carry out immigration raids independently.
The plan was submitted to the government of President Donald Trump and involves using the Office of the Attorney General, a branch of the military justice system of the Florida National Guard, as immigration judges, aimed at expediting legal proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions about ICE Raids in Florida
What happened during the ICE raids in Florida?
ICE agents arrested more than two dozen undocumented immigrants during operations at construction and landscaping sites in Wildwood, Florida. The detainees are from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, and many had been deported previously.
How are ICE raids affecting the local economy in Florida?
Raids are creating a climate of fear that negatively impacts local businesses, as immigrant workers, essential for sectors such as construction, agriculture, and services, prefer to stay at home for fear of being deported. This has resulted in a significant decrease in economic activity.
What tactics does ICE use during its operations in Florida?
According to reports, ICE has employed deceptive tactics to make arrests, such as summoning immigrants to appointments under false pretenses and detaining them without prior notice. These practices have been criticized by activists and human rights advocates.
How can employers and workers protect themselves during an ICE raid?
Employers must ensure compliance with labor laws, such as the use of E-Verify and keeping I-9 forms in order. Workers, for their part, have constitutional rights that include the right to remain silent and not to provide information without the presence of an attorney. It is important that raids are conducted with a signed order from a judge.
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