Border Patrol draws mix of selfies and protests in New Orleans metro
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A Kenner protest against the Border Patrol's operation Sunday. Photo: Adam Gray / AFP via Getty Images
Although Chicago and Los Angeles faced federal immigration crackdowns with occasionally explosive protests, Border Patrol agent in charge Gregory Bovino is praising the Louisiana operation as "much less violent" because the agency has "state and locals on our side."
Why it matters: It's a little more complicated than that, New Orleans politicians and polling say.
The big picture: With Republican Gov. Jeff Landry and much of the state's law enforcement on board with immigration enforcement, Border Patrol agents have so far seemed to focus their work in Metairie, Gretna and Kenner.
- Meanwhile, it's New Orleans' name that dominates headlines and Department of Homeland Security press releases and social media promoting the work.
Between the lines: Explaining the local political dichotomy is hard; putting "New Orleans" in a post on X is easy.
What they're saying: "It is more than likely on this particular issue, in the greater New Orleans area, that New Orleans will stand alone," City Council President JP Morrell said Friday as city officials made transparency demands of the operation. "But that's not unique in any issue with New Orleans."
- In an Instagram post Sunday, Mayor-elect Helena Moreno cited JMC Polling firm data that says nearly 80% of likely New Orleans voters opposed the operation just days before it began.
Zoom in: New Orleans has had several peaceful protests against the DHS blitz.
- And though some Border Patrol appearances in neighboring Jefferson Parish have brought out folks looking to snap selfies and praise the agents, they've also had business doors locked as they approach and drawn protests as community-members and activists follow and film their actions.
State of play: After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans relied especially on Mexican migrant workers for rebuilding efforts. Federal officials even temporarily suspended some immigration laws to speed up rebuilding, according to the Historic New Orleans Collection.
- Although many migrants ended up settling in New Orleans East, Jefferson Parish's Hispanic and Asian population outpaces New Orleans'.
- Overall, about 10% of people in the metro area are foreign born, with most in Jefferson Parish, according to the Data Center.
What we're watching: Polling has shown that President Trump's immigration policy is costing him support as Americans see his deportation strategy play out in real time.
- "I do believe that the politics of all this is starting to turn," Moreno said Friday. "Even very conservative folks within our city, within our region, are believing that this is a step too far."