DHS launches immigration crackdown in New Orleans
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Protesters in New Orleans on Monday marched in demonstration against a pending ICE enforcement. Photo: Adam Gray / AFP via Getty Images)
The Department of Homeland Security formally launched an immigration enforcement blitz it's calling "Operation Catahoula Crunch" in New Orleans on Wednesday.
Why it matters: The operation, reported to target about 5,000 arrests, marks the latest escalation in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Democratic-led cities.
The big picture: The move follows weeks of speculation that Border Patrol agents would pivot to New Orleans after similar federal surges in Chicago and Charlotte.
- The Trump administration is also pursuing a crackdown on Somali immigrants in Minneapolis this week.
Zoom in: Rumors of a DHS crackdown led by Border Patrol authorities — initially referred to as "Swamp Sweep" — began swirling about two weeks ago.
- DHS officials declined most comment on those reports but confirmed in a Wednesday news release a plan "targeting criminal illegal aliens roaming free thanks to sanctuary policies."
- "Catahoula Crunch targets include violent criminals who were released after arrest for home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto, and rape," said DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin in the news release.
Reality check: Similar surges in other cities have mostly swept up people with no criminal records, according to reports.
Between the lines: Federal consent rulings have long barred both the New Orleans Police Department and the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office from supporting federal immigration enforcement, putting them at odds with a 2024 Louisiana law requiring such cooperation.
- Suburban law enforcement agencies, such as those in Kenner and Gretna, however, have assisted in immigration efforts, including as recently as last week.
By the numbers: The New Orleans metropolitan area's population is about 10% foreign-born, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, with most located in neighboring Jefferson Parish.
What they're saying: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) told Fox News he supported federal operations and was "welcoming them to come in."
- New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, however, decried the move and offering legal guidance for residents on her transition team's website. Born in Mexico, she will be the city's first Hispanic leader.
- With NOPD's consent decree ending about two weeks ago, department superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said she does not plan to assist immigration enforcement, calling it a civil not a criminal issue.
The FBI New Orleans Field Office and Louisiana State Police also announced a joint effort Wednesday to support the federal crackdown, according to a press release.
- The agencies' goal is "to deter assaults on federal officers and attempts to obstruct law enforcement actions," the press release says.
- FBI agents "will be on the streets ... to investigate and arrest anyone assaulting law enforcement officers, unlawfully impeding federal law enforcement activity, or assisting anyone to commit this criminal activity," said special agent in charge Jonathan Tapp.
What we're watching: ICE enforcement in other Democratic-led cities has resulted in heightened and sometimes explosive tensions and confusion between the agents and residents.
- In last week's Gretna arrest, for example, agents cited a struck-down law when telling someone filming their actions to step back to 25 feet.
- New Orleanians have already begun protests over the past several days, and some local businesses have posted signs denying agents entry.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information.