ICE conducts immigration raids in New Orleans, aiming for 5,000 arrests

US federal immigration authorities have initiated a large-scale enforcement operation in New Orleans, Louisiana, resulting in the arrest of at least 25 individuals. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that "Operation Catahoula Crunch" aims to ultimately apprehend 5,000 people it describes as the city's "most wanted criminals" through a series of immigration raids. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated the operation would remove "the worst of the worst" from the city, criticizing local sanctuary policies.

Local Official Condemns Raids, Cites Low Crime

The operation faced immediate criticism from New Orleans City Council member Lesli Harris. She argued the raids have instilled fear in the community, causing people to miss work and keep children home from school. Harris challenged the administration's premise, telling CNN, "I don’t think that there are 5,000 worst of the worst out there. ... I don’t see the data backing the numbers." She emphasized that local police, with state support, have driven crime to its lowest level since the 1970s, making the federal sweep unnecessary.

ICE Defends Mission and Details Initial Arrests

ICE officials defended the operation as essential. "We are here arresting criminals who should not be here," said operation commander Gregory Bovino. The initial raid targeted a local shipyard, detaining 25 undocumented immigrants from Honduras after their employer failed to provide proper documentation. Homeland Security Investigations stated those arrested had criminal histories including prior illegal entry, DUI, discharging a firearm, and resisting an officer.

Broader Implications and Employer Accountability

Matt Wright, a deputy special agent in charge, said the operation underscores a commitment to enforcing immigration laws and holding employers accountable for hiring undocumented workers. The event highlights the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement strategies, contrasting federal "crackdown" approaches with local community policing models. For nations like Türkiye, which closely monitors the treatment of diaspora communities abroad, such operations raise concerns about the social impact of aggressive enforcement tactics.