Florida Takes the Lead: Operation Tidal Wave and the Conservative Win for U.S. Safety

In the middle of Florida, something brave and unheard of happened. This action shows why conservative leadership is so important for protecting the safety, stability, and independence of the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with local police and government agencies like Customs and Border Protection (CBP), arrested over 800 people who were in the country illegally in a large-scale, first-of-its-kind operation called “Operation Tidal Wave.” But this wasn’t a random sweep. These people weren’t just without papers; they were violent offenders, gang members, and dangerous crooks who had been living among law-abiding citizens without being caught.

This action isn’t just happening in one place. Right now, people all over the country are talking about how to police immigration laws, keep the peace, and plan for the future of American security. It also shows what can be done when states do their jobs and work with the federal government to uphold the rule of law, which is a concept that conservatives and Republicans have long fought for.

The dangerous people who are hiding in the shadows

On the left in the United States, people often use broad, emotional language to talk about illegal immigration, saying that every person who comes here illegally is a needy person looking for a better life. There are real cases of migrants going through hard times, but conservatives have long said that unchecked and unvetted immigration is very dangerous for American neighborhoods. Operation Tidal Wave made those worries very real.

Some of the 800 people who were caught have rap sheets that are not just disturbing, they are horrifying. A Colombian man who had been accused of murder before got into the U.S. without being caught. A Russian citizen with a red Interpol warning for murder also made it to the United States. People from MS-13 and the 18th Street Gang, two of the world’s most violent criminal groups known for their cruelty and international reach, were arrested. This was even more disturbing. These gang members had broken the law several times by coming back into the United States illegally, taking advantage of holes in border security and immigration police.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stressed that this is just a sneak peek of what’s to come when it announced the operation’s success. The size of the problem calls for continued tough action, and with Republicans in charge, operations like Tidal Wave will grow and get stronger, giving the country that is suffering from the effects of open-border policies a glimpse of hope.

The nation looks up to Florida’s brave leadership

There is a reason why this groundbreaking process took place in Florida. Because of the strong guidance of conservative lawmakers and officials, Florida has become a model of how to run a country when there are problems. It is only in Florida that every sheriff’s department has signed up to be a part of the 287(g) program. This is a federal program that gives local police the power to follow immigration laws.

Because 287(g) gives them the power to do something, local police officers can now do something when they see illegal aliens committing crimes. They are allowed to, have been trained to, and are protected by the law to make arrests and help clean up their neighborhoods. This is a policy that makes sense, and it shows that the Republican Party wants to give local governments more power instead of smothering them with rules from the federal government.

This relationship is a big reason why Operation Tidal Wave was a success. It shows that American people are much safer and more secure when local, state, and federal governments work together instead of against each other.

What Liberal Critics Say About the Politics of Fear

As expected, the liberal media and so-called “immigrant advocacy” groups spoke out against Operation Tidal Wave right away. They said that ICE and Florida’s government were “spreading fear” among immigration groups. They complained that because 20% of Florida’s people were born somewhere else, enforcement measures would unfairly target a large group of residents.

But let’s be clear: going after dangerous criminals and gang members is not the same thing as going after immigrants. It is known and accepted by conservatives that America was built by immigrants—legal immigrants who followed the law, respected the system, and helped their communities. What we don’t agree with is mixing up legal and illegal immigrants, which is dangerous.

Law-abiding Americans, whether they were born here or came here as an immigrant, deserve to live without being constantly threatened by dangerous foreigners who take advantage of our flawed system. It is not “fear-mongering” to want murderers, gang members, and people accused of being terrorists to be taken off the streets. It’s basic government. It is one of the most important parts of national defense.

Immigration Enforcement: A Look Into the Future When Conservatives Take Charge

When Caroline Leavitt, the press secretary, talked to the press, she made it clear: Operation Tidal Wave is just the start. Border security has been a mess and poorly managed by the Biden administration, leaving towns across the country open to attack. But things are starting to change. With conservative leaders in charge and support from everyday Americans who won’t let lawlessness take over their neighborhoods, these operations will happen more often, reach more people, and be more successful.

Florida’s success is not just a unique case; it’s a model for the whole country. It’s being heard by conservative governors, attorneys general, and sheriffs all over the country. They are looking into ways to follow Florida’s lead, build the alliances they need to clean up their own communities, and fight back against the destructive forces of radicalism that crosses borders.

The Republican Party has a clear and unapologetic plan for immigration: protect the people, keep the borders safe, and follow the law. That vision is finally taking off, and Operation Tidal Wave shows that real change is possible when conservatives are brave and clear.

The Cost to People of Ignoring the Crisis

During Operation Tidal Wave, every arrest is a story of a threat being stopped. But every illegal immigrant who stays on the streets is a tragedy waiting to happen. Ignoring illegal immigration has real-life costs for people. These costs are seen every day in violent crimes, gang activity, the spread of fentanyl into American neighborhoods, and the abuse of weak groups.

Politicians on the left often make fun of the worries of regular Americans because they live in gated communities with private protection. But for working-class families, especially those who live in areas with a lot of immigrants, illegal immigration is not just an idea. They are right now facing a real danger to their safety and way of life.

This is clear to conservatives. Republicans are aware of this. We will not only say that we will restore the rule of law, we will also do it.

A Fight for the Future of America

Even though Operation Tidal Wave was a major victory, the war for American freedom is still very much alive. Every day that our borders stay open, sanctuary places refuse to work with the federal government, and radical leftist policies put criminals ahead of citizens makes America less safe and free.

Republicans are proposing a different way forward, one that is based on the timeless ideas of safety, law, and order. We think that a country without limits is not a country. We think that citizenship is a gift, not a right that comes from living close to someone. We think the most important job of the government is to keep its people safe.

Operation Tidal Wave isn’t just a story about immigration. There are safety concerns at stake. This story shows how important it is for every level of government to have brave, right leaders.

In conclusion, the time for conservatism has come

As Operation Tidal Wave goes on, it makes it clear: the United States will not give up in the face of chaos. We can reaffirm the rule of law, take back our streets, and protect our neighborhoods if we are determined, work together, and follow conservative values, as shown in Florida.

There is a clear way to move forward. Our borders need to be kept safe. Our police need to be given more power. We need to break up the crime networks that grow when immigration laws aren’t strict enough. We need to be sure that we are on the right side, which means we need to stand up for American families, American workers, and American freedom.

This is a view from the right. This is what Republicans think. The idea is what will save the country.

People should be happy about how well Operation Tidal Wave went, but they should also use it as a wake-up call. It’s no longer okay to play games or say empty things. The time has come to act in a brave and unapologetic way.

It’s important for the future of the United States.

Full Video Transcript

Massive ICE operation leads to 800 migrants being arrested in Florida

Transcripts:
(00:00) Illegal migrants have been arrested so far in a massive ICE operation in Florida, which is known as Tidal Wave. Dana Marie McNichol is in Miami for us. What do we know about these people, Dana Marie? Hey, Stuart. Well, ICE says this first-of-a-kind operation targeted major cities in Florida. So local law enforcement and federal partners like ICE and CBP, they worked alongside each other. They describe who they caught in that group as violent, illegal immigrants.
(00:29) Now, ICE officials tell Fox News the arrests include a man convicted of homicide in Colombia who entered the U.S. undetected as a gotaway, a Russian national with an Interpol red notice for manslaughter, an alleged Guatemalan MS-13 GANG MEMBER, AND A MAN FROM HONDURAS, A SUSPECTED TERRORIST MEMBER OF THE 18TH STREET GANG.
(00:52) BOTH GANG MEMBERS, I SAY, HAVE ILLEGALLY RE-ENTERED THE U.S. MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS CALLING THE LARGE-SCALE OPERATION A MAJOR SUCCESS AND SAYS IT’S A PREVIEW OF WHAT’S TO COME ACROSS THE NATION. success and says it’s a preview of what’s to come across the nation. We have partnerships under 287G authorities that Secretary Noem signed and this empowers state and local law enforcement to actually be able to use their enforcement authority to carry out immigration enforcement and what that means is they can actually make arrests and clean up our streets. Now, Florida is leading the nation, the only state where all sheriff’s departments signed
(01:30) up to gain immigration authority under the 287G program you just heard her speak about. Immigration advocates say the operation is meant to create fear amongst the immigrant community in a state where one out of five people, that’s 20 percent of Florida’s population, is foreign born. And Stuart Ice says Operation Tidal Wave is still ongoing.
(01:51) And just this morning, we heard from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who reiterated the fact that this type of operation will be replicated across the country. All right, Dana Marie, thank you very much indeed.