Key Takeaways
• HSI arrested 24+ undocumented immigrants at Wildwood, Florida construction sites on May 13, 2025.
• Florida’s enforcement led to 1,120 criminal alien arrests in April 2025, breaking ICE records.
• Local deputies can now enforce immigration laws under new state policy and 287(g) partnerships.
Agents from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested more than two dozen undocumented immigrants at construction sites in Wildwood, Florida on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. This operation focused on construction worksites where those arrested came from Mexico 🇲🇽, Guatemala 🇬🇹, and Honduras 🇭🇳. Some of these individuals had already been deported from the United States 🇺🇸 before, making their presence in the country a repeated violation of immigration rules, as reported by VisaVerge.com. The arrests come as part of a wider trend where authorities have increased their focus on construction jobsites and workers’ documentation.
The Operation in Wildwood: What Happened
Wildwood is a city located just south of The Villages and about an hour northwest of Orlando. On the day of the arrests, HSI Tampa agents drove onto the construction sites in plain, unmarked cars. Some wore tactical vests and covered their faces with masks. They were prepared for a coordinated sweep through areas that looked like new neighborhoods still being built.
Videos shared on HSI Tampa’s X account, which is what Twitter is now called, showed agents entering construction zones but did not show actual arrests. According to Richard Luke Hadwin, one of the workers who was present that day, agents called out to workers asking, “Hey, can I have a green card?” This request is a way to check workers’ legal status quickly, since a green card is proof that someone is allowed to live and work in the United States 🇺🇸 permanently.
After the agents’ arrival, Hadwin described the worksite as suddenly empty, saying it turned into “a ghost town.” Many workers left or hid, worried about being questioned or detained. The presence of HSI made a strong impact, both on those working at the site and on the construction process itself.
How This Operation Fits into a Larger Pattern
The events in Wildwood are not happening in isolation. They are part of a much bigger effort to find and arrest undocumented immigrants—people living or working in the United States 🇺🇸 without proper permission. Just days before the Wildwood action, HSI also arrested 53 undocumented immigrants at a hotel construction worksite in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷. Although Puerto Rico is a territory and not a state, it still falls under federal immigration laws and enforcement efforts.
This focus on finding undocumented immigrants in workplaces, especially construction sites, has grown stronger with local and state cooperation. Recently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a big shift: Florida now has more than 100 Florida Highway Patrol troopers who can enforce immigration laws on their own, without relying on federal officers. These new “special deputies” have the power to spot, question, and even detain people they believe are breaking immigration rules.
Florida is a leader in what are known as “287(g) partnerships.” Under these agreements, state or local police are allowed to perform some of the same tasks as federal immigration officers, but with supervision from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These partnerships give local law enforcement the power to identify and detain people suspected of being in the country without valid documents.
A Record-Breaking Year for Florida
Florida’s efforts in immigration enforcement have reached historic levels. In April 2025, a joint operation involving multiple agencies led to 1,120 criminal alien arrests across the state. This was the highest number of such arrests in a single state operation in ICE’s entire history. These numbers highlight how Florida is at the center of debates about immigration enforcement and the role of local versus federal government responsibilities.
Why Construction Sites?
You might wonder why HSI and ICE are concentrating on construction sites. The construction industry is a common workplace for undocumented immigrants because of high demand for labor and sometimes less strict hiring checks. With a recent executive order named “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” these enforcement efforts have grown even more. This executive order has made it clear that finding and removing undocumented workers is a top government priority, especially when these workers are found in jobs that build homes, offices, or other public spaces.
In many cases, companies themselves are not being directly targeted for criminal charges. Instead, the main goal is to identify and detain workers without valid immigration status. Still, contractors, supervisors, and even property owners face new risks. When raids happen, construction can stop for days or longer, and both owners and workers are left with new challenges.
The Scene on the Ground: Reactions and Effects
The impact of these raids is felt well beyond the workers who are detained. Andy Adamic, who was building a house in Wildwood, stopped by the site only to find it empty. No workers, no noise, no progress on his home. Adamic supports the idea of enforcing immigration laws, believing that following the rules is important. However, he also said he appreciated how hard the workers had been working on his new home. His reaction shows a feeling shared by many property owners who depend on construction crews to get their homes built on time.
Workers themselves, both undocumented and those with legal status, can feel scared and uncertain after these enforcement actions. When news spreads about a raid, other workers may stop showing up, fearful of being questioned or arrested. Construction sites that once buzzed with activity can suddenly sit idle, as happened in Wildwood.
Broader Community and Economic Impacts
Beyond the immediate effects on construction, these operations have a ripple effect on families, businesses, and the wider community. Many arrested workers have families living in the United States 🇺🇸, including children who were born here and are U.S. citizens. When breadwinners are detained or deported, entire families can face hardship.
For small construction companies, having workers arrested can slow or stop building projects, delay deadlines, and cost more money in lost time or needed new hires. Subcontractors who depend on a steady flow of workers may struggle to fill empty positions quickly, especially when word gets out that more raids could happen. These challenges can raise construction costs for buyers and slow down the pace of new developments.
A Divided Debate: Enforcement or Reform?
The news of these large operations often sparks debate about how the United States 🇺🇸 should handle immigration. Some people believe stronger enforcement is needed to keep the country safe and make sure jobs go to those with legal status. Others think there should be more ways for people, especially workers, to get legal permission to live and work in the country.
Florida’s use of state law enforcement in federal immigration work is also a point of controversy. Supporters say it helps catch more people who break immigration laws, while critics worry it could lead to mistakes or unfair treatment. When state or local officers take on more immigration duties, there is also a risk of confusion about which rules to follow or how to protect people’s rights.
Industry groups, like those connected to construction, often ask for patience and fairness. They argue that many undocumented immigrants fill important roles in building homes, fixing roads, and growing the economy. They also worry that large-scale raids could hurt businesses and slow down much-needed projects in growing areas like Florida.
Understanding the Role of HSI
HSI is one of the largest agencies within the Department of Homeland Security. Its main job is to find and stop illegal activity related to immigration and customs laws. In the case of the Wildwood operation, HSI’s work was to check the documentation of workers on Florida construction sites and detain those not allowed to work legally.
HSI agents work with other federal, state, and local groups. They plan operations, gather evidence, and sometimes rely on anonymous tips to decide where to go. Their actions can include showing up unannounced at worksites, questioning people about their immigration status, and making arrests. If you want to know more about HSI and their investigations, you can visit the official HSI page at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Future of Worksite Enforcement in Florida
Looking ahead, it seems likely that Florida will keep up a strong focus on checking the status of workers, especially in industries like construction where many undocumented immigrants are employed. State leaders believe this sends a message that following the rules is important and that companies should pay closer attention to who they hire.
For construction businesses and property owners, the message is clear: always make sure workers have the right paperwork and follow all laws. Employers are urged to check the forms and documents of all employees, which can help avoid future problems when officials visit. While contractors and companies may not always be the direct target, they are still affected by the disruptions these actions cause.
What This Means for Undocumented Immigrants
For undocumented immigrants, especially those working in construction sites in Florida, the risk of being detained and deported is higher now than before. Some may choose to leave the area or look for jobs in less visible places. Others are trying to find legal help, hoping to fix their status or find legal options before being caught up in an HSI operation.
Advocacy groups working with immigrants often provide help with legal questions, access to attorneys, or information about rights during workplace checks or raids. Even so, uncertainty and fear often run high in the days and weeks after a large-scale enforcement action.
The Role of Local Communities
Local leaders, school officials, and business groups are watching these changes closely. In areas where there are large numbers of immigrants working in construction or related industries, any drop in the workforce can have lasting effects. Fewer workers can mean slower building projects, higher prices for new homes, and less money spent in local stores and services.
Community support networks may step in to help families affected by arrests, offering food, shelter, or help with child care. Local churches or nonprofit organizations sometimes become the first line of support when families face tough choices or sudden crises.
Conclusion: Ongoing Changes on Florida Construction Sites
The HSI arrests in Wildwood are part of a larger story about how immigration laws and enforcement shape lives, jobs, and communities. Florida, with its large construction sector and many immigrants, remains at the forefront of these efforts. With new policies and a strong state role in enforcing federal immigration rules, both undocumented immigrants and the businesses that may hire them are feeling more pressure than ever.
For anyone working in or around Florida construction sites, staying informed about immigration laws and knowing your rights is now more important than ever. Employers are encouraged to use the tools provided by ICE, like E-Verify, to confirm that all their workers are authorized to work. You can find more about worksite enforcement from the official ICE Worksite Enforcement page.
As these stories unfold, it remains to be seen how new actions and policies will shape the future for workers, families, and companies across the state. Keeping a close eye on local and federal updates will help everyone respond to a changing environment. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the recent HSI operation at Florida construction sites is a reminder that both the rules and their enforcement can impact entire communities—sometimes in immediate and unexpected ways.
Learn Today
HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) → A Department of Homeland Security agency investigating immigration and customs violations, including worksite enforcement.
287(g) Partnerships → Agreements allowing local or state police to help enforce federal immigration laws under ICE supervision.
Undocumented Immigrant → A person living or working in a country without official legal authorization or proper immigration documents.
E-Verify → An electronic system that employers use to check whether new employees are authorized to work in the United States.
Executive Order → An official directive from the President or state governor that manages operations of the government.
This Article in a Nutshell
Florida construction sites face increasing immigration enforcement as HSI and state officials target undocumented workers. Recent Wildwood raids resulted in over two dozen arrests, reflecting a broader statewide crackdown. Employers and workers must verify legal status, or risk disruption. Families, businesses, and projects feel the economic and social effects immediately.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• ICE Raids Shatter Records in Florida ‘Operation Tidal Wave’
• Ron DeSantis calls out Florida and GOP states on illegal immigration
• Florida Governor DeSantis addresses immigration enforcement in Tampa
• Florida Slams Immigrants With Tough Driver’s License Rules
• Florida National Guard Tapped as Immigration Judges
