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Florida has established itself as one of the states with the highest level of operations against migrants in the country since the beginning of Donald Trump's second term.
Since January of this year, the state has recorded more than 10,800 arrests by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The figure represents an increase of more than 200% compared to the previous year, according to information from the Deportation Data Project (Deportation Data Project).
The seven cities with the most arrests by ICE in Florida
Seven cities top the list with the most immigration operations in Florida during 2025.
Miami (Miami-Dade County)
ICE Operations Center in Florida, thanks to its proximity to the Krome detention center and other federal facilities.
The collaboration with local police through 287(g) agreements allows state agents to act as federal agents in arrests.
Tallahassee (Leon)
The state capital has been the scene of targeted raids at workplaces, particularly in construction.
In May, over 100 people were arrested, including cases of suspected links to gangs.
Orlando (Orange)
He actively participated in the massive operation in April known as “Operation Tidal Wave”, with coordinated raids in residential and work areas.
Jacksonville (Duval)
There has been a notable increase in arrests following the enactment of state laws that penalize irregular immigration, although one of these was blocked by the Supreme Court in July.
Fort Myers (Lee)
Direct target of raids in April, with operations in neighborhoods inhabited by migrants.
Stuart (Martin)
Also included in "Operation Tidal Wave," where ICE carried out arrests in areas with a high concentration of migrants.
Tampa (Hillsborough)
Another central scenario of the April operations, with active participation from local agencies in coordination with ICE.
Florida leads the collaboration agreements with ICE
A key factor in the high rate of arrests is the network of 287(g) agreements, which allow state authorities to operate as immigration agents.
Florida leads the country with 295 of these agreements, representing 43% of the national total.
The raids are concentrated in urban areas with a high density of migrants and strong cooperation among local and federal agencies.
The human impact: Arrests without criminal records and questionable conditions
According to the Deportation Data Project, 36% of those arrested in June 2025 had no criminal record, a figure that represents a 457% increase compared to the previous year.
This profile change has led to reports of unjustified detentions, family separations, and inadequate conditions in detention centers, particularly in the new facility nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, in the Everglades.
National panorama: mass arrests and a shift in approach
In the first five months of Trump's new term, ICE has made 109,000 arrests nationwide, a 120% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The states with the highest figures are:
Texas: 23.2% of the total.
Florida: 11%.
California: 7%.
Georgia: 4%.
Arizona: 3%.
The states with the least migration activity, such as Vermont, Alaska, and Montana, account for just around 100 detentions combined.
Why is the activity concentrated in the south?
The explanation lies both in the high migrant population of the region and in the level of cooperation between local forces and ICE.
In contrast, states like California, despite having a high density of migrants, implement policies that limit this collaboration, which reduces the intensity of the raids.
Who are the detainees?
The arrested individuals come from nearly 180 countries, although the vast majority are from Latin America and the Caribbean.
According to the latest data:
Mexico: around 40,000 arrested.
Guatemala: 15,000.
Honduras: 12,000.
Venezuela: 8,000.
El Salvador: 5,000.
These figures reflect the strong impact of immigration policies on Hispanic communities, many of which have years of residency in the United States and solid family ties.
The federal goal: One million deportations by 2025
ICE has reported 150,000 deportations so far this year, a significant figure but still far from the target set by the Trump administration: one million deportations by 2025.
According to current projections, approximately 300,000 expulsions are expected by December, making this year the most active since the Obama era.
The acting director of ICE, Todd Lyons, recently stated that "anyone found in the country violating federal immigration laws will be detained," a statement that reinforces the zero-tolerance strategy and eliminates previous priorities based on the detainee's criminal history.
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