Federal Immigration Agents Launch Operation in New Orleans

Homeland Security is targeting illegal immigrants who have been arrested for violent crimes but later released, agency officials said.

Federal immigration agents arrest a man in the parking lot of an H-Mart grocery store, in Niles, Ill., on Oct. 31, 2025. Jamie Kelter Davis/Getty Images

A new round of immigration enforcement has begun in New Orleans, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said.

On Dec. 3, the department announced “Operation Catahoula Crunch,” describing it as an effort to “target criminal aliens roaming free.” It cited New Orleans’ sanctuary policies, which restrict local authorities from honoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests for individuals arrested on other charges.