Washington D.C. – The White House has officially recognized Florida as a model for federal immigration enforcement cooperation, specifically singling out the Sunshine State for operations that Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described as proceeding “seamlessly and peacefully.”
The praise comes amidst a broader national conversation regarding the methods used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During a press briefing on Thursday, Leavitt addressed recent comments by President Donald Trump, who recently stated a preference for a “softer approach” to immigration enforcement. According to the White House, Florida’s strategy exemplifies exactly what that approach looks like in practice.
For residents of the Treasure Coast, this national attention has a direct local connection. The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office was specifically listed as a participant in these cooperative efforts, joining agencies from Brevard, Volusia, St. Johns, and other counties in working alongside federal partners.
Defining the “Softer Approach”
Leavitt clarified that the President’s call for a “softer touch” does not imply a reduction in deportations, but rather a shift in how apprehensions are conducted. The administration is prioritizing increased collaboration between state, local, and federal authorities. The goal is to facilitate transfers within the controlled environment of local jails rather than conducting potentially volatile raids in communities.
“If the states and the local governments just turn over their illegal aliens to ICE at jails, as they should be doing, it requires one agent to deport that one illegal alien who can then go on their way to their home country in a peaceful manner,” Leavitt stated.
The Press Secretary contrasted Florida’s “intimate cooperation” with recent turbulent events in Minnesota, where a lack of local coordination allegedly led to a scenario where federal agents fatally shot two individuals during enforcement operations. Leavitt emphasized that the Florida model—where local agencies work hand-in-hand with federal entities—is what the administration hopes to replicate across all 50 states.
Operation Tidal Wave and State Spending
The cooperation is part of a massive state-led initiative known as Operation Tidal Wave, which began in April 2025. Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that the state has assisted ICE in more than 10,000 arrests through this partnership.
This level of enforcement has come with a significant price tag. According to reporting by the Miami Herald, Florida has allocated more than $573 million toward immigration enforcement since 2022. This expenditure ranks as the fourth-largest use of the state’s emergency fund, trailing only the costs associated with major hurricanes like Ian, Milton, and Helene.
Key financial details include:
Local Involvement and Demographics
The operation involves a heavy roster of federal partners, including ICE Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, the DEA, and the U.S. Marshals Service. On the local level, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is playing a role in ensuring these operations remain streamlined within the region.
Data regarding the more than 10,000 arrests facilitated by Operation Tidal Wave reveals the demographics of those detained. The countries of origin for the majority of individuals arrested include:
As the federal government continues to push for tighter integration between local law enforcement and ICE, Florida—and by extension, Indian River County—remains at the forefront of the administration’s preferred enforcement strategy.
