A sweeping enforcement operation, dubbed “Catahoula Crunch,” has descended upon Louisiana and Mississippi, spearheaded by U.S. immigration authorities. Roughly 250 Border Patrol agents are now actively working towards a goal of apprehending approximately 5,000 individuals.
The operation’s roots lie in a growing conflict over local sanctuary policies in New Orleans. Federal officials assert that these policies have allowed individuals facing immigration violations to be released back into communities, despite ICE requests to take them into custody.
For years, the Orleans Parish jail operated under a consent decree that severely restricted cooperation with ICE. Unless facing charges for violent crimes like murder, rape, or kidnapping, individuals were released without notification to federal authorities, effectively hindering immigration enforcement.
This policy stemmed from a 2013 case where construction workers were illegally detained for months following minor arrests. It prohibited jailers from investigating immigration status or holding individuals for ICE without a court order, except in limited, serious cases.
Recent legal challenges, supported by the Louisiana Attorney General and Governor, aim to dissolve this consent decree, citing a 2024 state law mandating full cooperation with federal immigration authorities. A federal judge recently allowed the state to proceed with its challenge.
New Orleans police leadership has publicly declared they will not enforce federal immigration law, limiting their participation to situations directly impacting public safety. However, some local departments, like Kenner Police, are already cooperating with federal enforcement efforts.
While critics raise concerns about ICE tactics, including reported “aggressive tactics” and incidents involving vehicle pursuits, authorities maintain that force is only employed when individuals resist arrest or pose a threat to agents. Broken windows, they explain, occur when individuals barricade themselves and refuse to comply with lawful orders.
Reports of arrests at workplaces – construction sites and home-improvement stores – have surfaced, with some immigrants reportedly sleeping at work to avoid detection. However, authorities emphasize that making arrests in public spaces is lawful, and working illegally is itself a violation of U.S. immigration law.
The operation is targeting not only individuals with outstanding deportation orders, but also those working illegally within the region. Federal law empowers ICE to arrest and remove individuals in these categories, regardless of prior criminal convictions.
Border Patrol officials overseeing the operation insist they are focused on apprehending individuals who “should not be here,” emphasizing that the operation is a direct response to policies that have, in their view, compromised public safety and undermined federal immigration law.
The situation is particularly sensitive in areas like Jefferson Parish, where the Latino population represents a significant 20 percent of residents. While activists express widespread fear, authorities assert that those legally present in the country have no cause for concern.
