Federal agents have commenced operations in New Orleans as part of the Trump administration’s nationwide immigration crackdown targeting immigrants accused of violent offenses, as confirmed by a U.S. Homeland Security official. Masked agents were observed patrolling a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood using both marked and unmarked vehicles, with reports of arrests outside a home improvement store. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, overseeing operations in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, met with agents assembling in a Home Depot parking lot.
The operation in New Orleans involves over 200 Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, aiming to make numerous arrests over a period of at least 60 days. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that the operation targets immigrants previously released after arrests for serious crimes such as home invasion, armed robbery, and rape. These intensified immigration efforts align with President Trump’s stringent deportation policies, with plans for a similar operation in Minnesota targeting Somali immigrants.
The enforcement actions, named “Catahoula Crunch” in Louisiana, have stirred fear and uncertainty within the immigrant community of New Orleans, a diverse city renowned for its cultural heritage. Witness accounts described federal agents apprehending individuals at various locations, prompting some businesses in Hispanic neighborhoods to temporarily close or display signs preventing entry to immigration officials.
The crackdown has sparked public outcry and legal challenges, with protests against the impending operations and accusations of undermining federal immigration enforcement. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a staunch Trump supporter, emphasized the targeting of criminal immigrants and expressed determination to continue until all offenders are apprehended. The deployment of National Guard members is expected to bolster the enforcement efforts, as planning documents reveal a long-term initiative to arrest thousands of individuals across southeastern Louisiana and into Mississippi.
