TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV\/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – More than 10,000 immigrants living in Florida illegally have been detained since April in a joint operation between state and federal authorities, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday.<\/p>\n
The detentions are part of Operation Tidal Wave, a joint effort between ICE and Florida law enforcement that began in April. ICE says this operation is the largest joint immigration enforcement effort in the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019ve done has been effective,\u201d DeSantis said. \u201cWhen we set out to do something we\u2019re going to make sure to be able to deliver results on that. These are great results and I think they\u2019re going to get even better going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Florida politics:<\/p>\n
Florida has detained more people in immigration operations than any other state, according to authorities.<\/p>\n
Many of those arrested are processed through the state\u2019s Deportation Depot at Baker Correctional Institute, with 3,000 people deported from there. Others are going through Alligator Alcatraz.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tempo has picked up. We know at each one of those facilities, the federal government has stationed an immigration judge,\u201d DeSantis said.<\/p>\n
Attorney General James Uthmeier said the goal is to keep Floridians safe, especially children.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople preying upon and abusing little kids that are illegal immigrants have no business being here in the first place,\u201d Uthmeier said.<\/p>\n
Florida law requires every state and county agency to assist ICE with immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n
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