ICE Arrests Illegal Immigrant Police Recruit in New Orleans

ICE Arrest of Police Recruit

• 🎯 ICE took a New Orleans Police Department recruit, Larry Temah, into custody who was in the police academy and issued a firearm despite an active deportation order.
• ⚠️ The recruit, from Cameroon, was arrested on January 28th and is currently in ICE custody.
• ❓ NOPD stated that during the hiring process, there was no indication of the recruit lacking legal status, though a judge's removal order was signed in December.

Background and Immigration Status

• 🛂 Larry Temah, 46, initially entered the U.S. legally in 2015 on a visitor visa and was granted conditional residency in 2016 after marrying a U.S. citizen.
• 💔 Records indicate divorce petitions were filed in 2016 and again in early 2023, suggesting potential fraud.
• 🚫 ICE reported that Temah's application for permanent residency was denied in 2022 due to fraud, and he failed to appear for three immigration court hearings, leading to an order of removal in absentia.

NOPD's Verification and ICE's Claims

• ✅ NOPD claims Temah passed a criminal background check and cleared the federal E-Verify system, confirming his work authorization.
• 🚨 ICE, however, maintains that Temah was issued a firearm despite being an undocumented immigrant, which is illegal under Louisiana law for concealed carry permits.
• 🗣️ NOPD disputes ICE's statements, calling them misleading and asserting they never received notification of an ICE detainer, and that any claim of knowingly violating the law is false.

Broader Implications and Concerns

• ⚖️ The incident raises questions about the vetting process for police recruits and the enforcement of immigration laws.
• 💬 The speaker expresses skepticism about NOPD's claims, believing they should have been aware of Temah's illegal status.
• 🚨 The discussion highlights concerns about illegal immigrants holding positions of authority, such as police officers, and the potential for similar cases to go unnoticed.