International

Florida’s ‘Tidal Wave’ operation detains 10,400 migrants in largest ICE joint effort

Florida’s Tidal Wave immigration enforcement operation has resulted in the detention of 10,400 migrants, mostly from Mexico, Central America and Venezuela, since it began eight months ago in coordination with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Monday.

“This is the largest joint immigration law enforcement operation in the history of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and we are proud that it will continue here in Florida,” the Republican governor said during a news conference in Sanderson, in northern Florida.

According to Florida authorities, Guatemala accounts for the largest number of detainees, with 3,435 arrests, followed by Mexico (3,331), Honduras (1,353), El Salvador (312) and Venezuela (also 312). Officials did not specify the countries of origin for the remaining detainees.

Nearly two-thirds of those arrested — 63% — had a prior criminal conviction or previous arrest, including violent offenders, gang members, sex offenders, fugitives and individuals who “pose a serious public safety threat,” according to an infographic shared by DeSantis.

In addition, Florida transferred 1,916 detainees to “Alligator Alcatraz,” the migrant detention facility opened by the state government last July in the Everglades, a natural area west of Miami surrounded by alligators, snakes and other wildlife.

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“Many of the more than 10,000 individuals arrested in this operation were attempting to prey on our children. Rest assured, our state prosecutors will make sure these criminals spend significant time behind bars before being sent back to where they came from,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said.

Officials emphasized that Florida has become a flagship state for the Trump administration’s second-term immigration policy, leading the nation in the number of 287(g) agreements, which formalize cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and ICE.

International

Trump Floats “Friendly Takeover” of Cuba Amid Rising Tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration is considering what he described as a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, as Washington continues to increase pressure on the island’s communist government.

“The Cuban government is talking to us and they have very serious problems, as you know. They have no money, they have nothing at this moment, but they are talking to us and maybe we will see a friendly takeover of Cuba,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for a trip to Texas.

Earlier in the week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Cuba needed a “radical change,” shortly after Washington eased restrictions on oil exports to the island for what officials described as “humanitarian reasons,” amid a deep economic crisis.

The United States has imposed an energy blockade on Cuba since January, citing what it calls an “extraordinary threat” posed by the communist-run island, located roughly 150 kilometers (90 miles) off the coast of Florida, to U.S. national security.

International

Argentina’s Senate Reviews Milei-Backed Labor Overhaul

Argentina’s Senate on Friday began reviewing the Labor Modernization Law promoted by the administration of President Javier Milei, a proposal that would significantly reshape labor rules across the country.

The upper chamber opened its final discussion of the contentious initiative, which revises the method used to calculate severance payments — lowering the amounts owed in dismissal cases — and introduces an “hour bank” mechanism that allows overtime to be offset with paid leave rather than extra wages.

The legislation also broadens the classification of essential services, a change that would place new limits on the right to strike in designated sectors.

The bill was initially approved by the Senate on February 11 and then moved to the Chamber of Deputies, where lawmakers passed it with amendments. It has now returned to the Senate for definitive approval.

Outside the Congress building in Buenos Aires, workers, trade unions and left-wing organizations staged demonstrations beginning at midday. The gathering later thinned out amid reports of disturbances and a strong police presence. Security forces had secured the area surrounding the legislature since early morning hours.

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Union leaders contend that the reform weakens labor protections, while many business representatives back the measure but stress that sustainable formal employment will require economic expansion, improved credit conditions, greater investment and a more dynamic domestic market.

International

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Policy Allowing Deportations to Third Countries

A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that the policy of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration allowing immigration authorities to deport foreign nationals to third countries without prior notice or the opportunity to object is unlawful. The decision marks another legal setback for the administration on immigration matters.

Judge Brian Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down the regulation issued last year, which stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was not required to notify migrants if they were to be sent to countries other than the one listed in their removal order, provided that receiving nations offered assurances they would not face persecution or torture.

Murphy ordered the measure vacated but granted a 15-day delay before the ruling takes effect, giving the Trump administration time to file an appeal.

In his decision, the judge concluded that the policy violates federal immigration law and migrants’ due process rights. He also questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the alleged assurances provided by receiving countries, stating that “no one really knows anything about these supposed ‘assurances.’” He added, “It is not right, and it is not lawful.”

The ruling follows several legal disputes involving deportations to third countries. Last year, the executive branch deported more than 200 Salvadorans to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, invoking an old wartime law. The White House also held talks with Costa Rica, Panama, and Rwanda about receiving migrants who are not citizens of those countries.

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In May, the same judge determined that the government violated a court order when it attempted to remove a group of immigrants with criminal records to South Sudan without prior notice or an opportunity to raise claims of fear of persecution.

Although President Donald Trump took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which temporarily allowed the deportations to resume while a final decision was pending, the White House is expected to again appeal to higher courts to overturn this latest judicial ruling.