A massive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid rocked Tallahassee on Thursday, as dozens of law enforcement vehicles swarmed a construction site near Florida State University and arrested over 100 undocumented workers in broad daylight. The event, caught on video and shared on Reddit, shows construction workers being forcibly detained, some pinned to the ground, as an entire industrial park was shut down.
The spectacle resembled something out of a militarized sting operation. “Guns everywhere,” wrote Reddit user u/Coup_de_Tech, before clarifying: “Nail guns, but still.”
The video prompted widespread outrage across social media, where many users questioned not only the scale of the operation but the target of the enforcement.
“Can’t you see all those violent criminals … building houses?” commented u/FuriousBuffalo, in one of the top upvoted replies.
Critics of the raid emphasized that the real culprits (the employers who hired these undocumented workers) appeared to face no consequences. “I’m sure they arrested all of the employers of these hard-working individuals, correct?” wrote u/OkBody2811, sarcastically.
User u/MrGrieves- added: “It’s all performative because if these f***s actually wanted to stop illegal immigration, the employers would be jailed and hiring would stop yesterday. Instead, cruelty and virtue signaling to their base is the goal.”
The raid, which took place at the Perla at the Enclave apartment project near FSU, saw ICE agents and state police load workers into vans under heavy security. ICE issued a press release citing its goals to “eliminate illegal employment” and “protect employment opportunities for America’s lawful workforce.”
But for many watching the scene unfold, that mission rang hollow.
“How dare they build houses… mexicanly,” quipped u/despa1337o.
Others pointed out the hypocrisy in targeting laborers while sparing those profiting from their labor. “We don’t hear anything about the employers getting into trouble knowing they have illegals on their payroll,” noted u/Dependent_Pipe3268. “The guys will be back next week.”
And some questioned the impact the crackdown might have on Florida’s already strained construction labor force. “Honestly this is 100% correct,” wrote u/j3wake3. “I worked very briefly in construction in Florida and with the heat and humidity my white ass quit after 3 weeks. These Hispanic guys are the only reason s**t gets done in Florida.”
While ICE confirmed one person is facing additional charges for resisting arrest and assault on officers, the agency did not comment on whether any employers will be investigated or charged.
