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Border Patrol raids target undocumented workers in Louisiana
Federal agents launched a sweeping immigration enforcement operation in New Orleans this week, detaining undocumented laborers in a move that has left Latino neighborhoods on edge. The crackdown, dubbed "Catahoula Crunch," marks the latest phase of President Trump's promised mass deportation campaign.
Dramatic rooftop standoff highlights enforcement tactics
On the operation's first day, Border Patrol agents surrounded a home in Kenner, a New Orleans suburb, after two men climbed onto its roof to evade arrest. Officers on the ground trained weapons on the pair as a sniper took position, while neighbors and activists gathered to document the confrontation. The men were eventually coaxed down and detained.
"These people came to work today to provide for their families," said activist Zoe Higgins, who witnessed the incident. "That they could just be abducted, removed from all stability-I can't imagine how terrifying that is."
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the arrests but declined to clarify whether the laborers were undocumented or if agents had a warrant to enter the property.
Operation targets 5,000 arrests, but critics question focus
DHS officials claim the raids prioritize migrants with criminal records, framing the effort as a public safety measure. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, who accompanied enforcement teams, vowed to target the "worst of the worst," stating, "Whether we do it on foot or in vehicles, in the air or in water, this is what we do."
However, New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell disputed the scope, arguing that a citywide sweep would not yield 5,000 violent offenders. Leaked data from prior raids in other cities suggest most detainees had no criminal history.
The operation's name, "Catahoula Crunch," references a muscular dog breed, symbolizing the administration's aggressive approach. A DHS press release featured mugshots of migrants allegedly released under "sanctuary" policies in cities like New Orleans.
Latino families fear leaving homes as raids escalate
In Kenner, businesses and households have effectively gone into lockdown. Abigail, a restaurant owner who asked to withhold her surname, said her family now sleeps at their eatery to avoid raids. "A lot of people feel afraid to go out," she said. "They feel so sad about this situation."
Her parents, who immigrated from Mexico City two decades ago, built the restaurant to serve Kenner's diverse community. Abigail's 10-year-old son, a U.S. citizen, underscores the mixed-status families caught in the crackdown.
An estimated 13% of New Orleans's population is Hispanic, many of whom arrived after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to aid in reconstruction. Nationwide, Pew Research Center estimates 14 million people live in the U.S. without legal authorization.
Political divisions deepen over immigration enforcement
While Democratic leaders in New Orleans oppose the raids, Louisiana's Republican Governor Jeff Landry supports them. Detained migrants could be held at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as "Angola," a maximum-security facility built on a former slave plantation.
Public opinion in the state reflects broader national tensions. Tyler Forrester, a mechanic in a Republican-leaning district, argued, "If they're not here legally, they should get out." Others, like Trump voter Mary-Anne, expressed ambivalence: "What if this mom is here with her legal husband and children? Why take her instead of someone with a record?"
Polling indicates Trump's approval ratings on immigration are slipping, even among Republicans, as fewer now believe overall immigration rates need to decline.
Uncertainty grips communities as raids continue
As federal agents expand their operations, Kenner's Latino residents brace for further disruptions. The raids underscore the human cost of Trump's deportation push, which has reignited debates over immigration policy ahead of the 2026 midterms.
