Large ICE Raid Sparks Protests in Tallahassee

More than 100 undocumented immigrants were arrested during a large immigration raid at a student housing construction site near Florida State University in Tallahassee, led by ICE with support from various federal and state agencies. The operation, part of an ongoing investigation, targeted workers from several Central and South American countries, some of whom had prior deportations or criminal records. Detainees were separated, handcuffed, and taken to detention facilities, prompting protests from bystanders and family members at the scene. Authorities framed the enforcement as essential for protecting jobs for lawful U.S. workers, while critics highlighted the positive contributions of those detained and voiced concern over the impact on families and the local workforce. The raid is considered one of the largest under the Trump-DeSantis partnership, following Florida’s expanded cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The incident has sparked strong, divided reactions among officials and community members.