The arrests They happened between him April 21 and 26 And they were achieved after the collaboration of personnel at least Seven agencies premises of Florida with the immigration and customs control service (ICEin English), which also had the support of agents of the DEA, FBI and ATFamong others.
According to ICE data, 437 of the Immigrants arrested at the baptized operation ‘Black tide‘are from Guatemala280 Mexico153 of Honduras48 Venezuela24 of El Salvador and 178 from other countries. He 63 % of those arrested had a criminal record or previous convictions.
The deputy director of ICEMadison Sheahan, stood out at a press conference that the result of the operation marks the greater amount of arrests in a Only condition in a week in the history of ICE.
This Friday, May 2, the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry confirmed that “assistance and consular protection are being provided with those confirmed as Guatemalans arrested,” according to the information they have already shared with the US agencies.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Guatemalans already identified “were transferred immediately from Florida to detention centers in Texas and Louisiana.”
The Foreign Ministry added: “Through the Consular Network of Guatemala in the US, the MINEX coordinates with the immigration authorities to be able to interview the Guatemalans shortly, with the aim of verifying their nationality, knowing their physical state, determining their immigration situation and providing them with the necessary assistance.”
Strict measures
“The success of the Black tide operation It is proof of our commitment, ”said the governor of Florida, Ron desantiswho said that the State is “ready, willing and trained to go to next level”
The Republican said he wants to expand the role of Florida beyond immigrant arrests and has proposed to Internal Security Department (DHS) Award powers to state personnel to accelerate deportations using members of the National Guard as immigration judges.
“If approved, we will launch ourselves to the action. And we can cover all aspects, from apprehension to detention, even designating some of our members of the National guard to act as judges of immigration and process this. We can do it, ”he said Desantis.