NewsNation Exclusive: Border Patrol Operation in New Orleans

Federal Immigration Operation in New Orleans

• 🎯 The federal government, under President Trump's immigration crackdown, has targeted New Orleans, a Democratic-led city.
• 😟 New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Moreno expressed that residents are "deeply fearful" of the operation, citing concerns about racial profiling.
• 🤝 Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Trump ally, supports the crackdown, stating it targets "criminal illegal immigrants".

Border Patrol's On-the-Ground Actions

• 🕵️ NewsNation's Ali Bradley rode along with Border Patrol, witnessing the arrest of an individual targeted for deportation.
• 🇻🇳 The arrested man was from Vietnam, convicted in 1989 of aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault, and aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon.
• ⚠️ In another incident in Kenner, Border Patrol approached men working on a roof; some fled, and one dumped a bucket of nails towards agents.
• 🚨 Two individuals who refused to come down from the roof are now considered targets by the agency.

Justification and Scope of Operation

• 🏛️ DHS states the operation targets criminal illegal immigrants released due to sanctuary policies that hinder local authorities from honoring ICE detainers.
• ⚖️ Arrests have been made for crimes including home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto, and rape.
• 🤝 State police, including the FBI, are supplementing federal efforts through a joint enforcement initiative to deter assaults on federal officers and obstruction of law enforcement.
• 📈 DHS reports a significant increase in violence against federal law enforcement.
• 🌊 Operation "Catahula Crunch" is underway, but ICE and Border Patrol presence in New Orleans is ongoing due to it being a coastal border.