Federal agents initiated operations in New Orleans on Wednesday as part of the Trump administration’s nationwide immigration enforcement efforts targeting immigrants accused of violent offenses, according to a U.S. Homeland Security official.
Masked agents were observed patrolling a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood using both marked and unmarked vehicles. Residents reported witnessing arrests outside a home improvement store, a scene that has become familiar in several major cities recently.
Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who led enforcement actions in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, met with agents assembling at a Home Depot parking lot in New Orleans.
Over 200 Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are involved in the New Orleans operation, aiming to make numerous arrests over a period of at least 60 days, as disclosed by an unnamed U.S. official.
U.S. Homeland Security Department Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that the operation in New Orleans is specifically targeting immigrants released following arrests for serious crimes such as armed robbery, home invasion, and rape.
Since January, immigration authorities have been conducting widespread operations in various cities and towns across the country in line with President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation policies.
A separate operation focusing on Somali immigrants is anticipated to commence in Minnesota soon.
The enforcement actions have sparked protests and legal challenges across the country.
Dubbed “Catahoula Crunch,” the operation in Louisiana continues the trend of Homeland Security assigning region-specific names to their crackdowns. The Catahoula leopard dog, Louisiana’s official state dog, inspired the operation’s name. Planning documents referred to the operation as “Swamp Sweep.”
The immigrant community in New Orleans, a culturally diverse city known for jazz music and Mardi Gras celebrations, is reportedly experiencing fear and uncertainty due to the ongoing crackdown.
Witnesses reported federal agents chasing and arresting individuals at various locations, including a home improvement store and gas stations. Some businesses in Hispanic neighborhoods have closed temporarily, while others have posted signs barring immigration agents from entry.
New Orleans, previously reliant on Latino workers post-Hurricane Katrina, is now grappling with heightened tensions surrounding immigration issues.
Protests against the crackdown have taken place, with the City Council setting up an online platform for residents to report alleged abuses by federal officers.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a supporter of President Trump’s policies, emphasized targeting criminal immigrants with the ongoing crackdown. Plans include the deployment of National Guard members to assist in law enforcement efforts.
The operation in Louisiana is expected to last several months, covering southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi with a goal of arresting thousands of individuals. Border Patrol agents are leading the deployment, drawing attention for their enforcement tactics in other cities.
An immigrant rights group in Louisiana has filed a legal challenge against a state law granting prosecutors broader authority to charge individuals obstructing federal immigration enforcement, citing concerns about freedom of speech limitations.
The law has compelled organizations like Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy to modify their activities to avoid potential legal repercussions during immigration-related arrests.
As the immigration crackdown continues, communities in New Orleans and beyond are navigating the impact of heightened enforcement actions on their daily lives.