Immigration enforcement operation launches in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Immigration Enforcement Operation Catahoula Crunch launched today in New Orleans, with federal agents conducting arrests at home improvement stores, restaurants and job sites across the area.

The operation involves ICE, Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security agents working to remove people the federal Department of Homeland Security calls the worst of the worst criminal migrants.

Police chief welcomes federal assistance

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley praised the operation, saying he has requested federal help since taking office in 2022.

RELATED STORY: DHS launches Operation Catahoula Crunch immigration sweep in New Orleans

“The federal government, our federal partners have resources that we just don’t have, and... there was a failure at the highest level for years in D.C.,” Conley said.

Conley pointed to violent crimes, including rape and murder, he says were committed by undocumented people. He said immigration reform and proper enforcement of detainers could have prevented some crimes.

“If there was real immigration reform or if detainers were issued and followed through on, those subjects probably would not have been in the streets of Kenner,” Conley said.

Activist disputes targeting claims

Local activist Rachel Taber with Union Migrante disputed claims that those targeted are criminals, saying many were arrested at work.

“They were roofers working hard today,” she said. “They were people standing on the corner of Home Depot for an honest day pay, so that’s an absolute falsity, like so many of the other things that they’re trying to sell us about what this Border Patrol operative is.”

Taber called the operation harmful and accused agents of racial profiling.

“It’s unconstitutional, and we know that if the Constitution doesn’t hold, if we don’t have equal justice under the law for some, based on their skin color, then who will have justice under the law, and for whom does the Constitution hold?” Taber said.

Response to profiling concerns

Conley disagreed with profiling allegations but encouraged anyone with concerns to contact law enforcement.

“If you feel that you’ve been profiled or, you know, picked out on any bias or you feel that you’ve been unjustly treated in any form or fashion, you can either contact our Internal Affairs Division or...the FBI,” Conley said.

Taber said the community has rallied to support those targeted by immigration enforcement.

“The outpouring of love from our neighbors has...been overwhelming, and that has been giving me light,” Taber said. “I think what it just shows us is all we have is each other.”

The Associated Press previously reported the immigration crackdown plan as Operation Swamp Sweep. DHS said today that reporting was a false narrative.

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