New Orleans Immigration Crackdown: City Leaders Question 5,000 Arrest Target

Fri Dec 05 2025 10:57:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Trump administration's ambitious target to arrest 5,000 immigrants in New Orleans is raising eyebrows among city officials, who argue the goal is unrealistic and could harm local communities.

Federal officials have begun a two-month operation called 'Catahoula Crunch' in New Orleans, aiming to arrest 5,000 individuals, mostly focusing on violent offenders. However, local leaders express concerns over the feasibility of this operation, highlighting a low number of violent criminals and potential disruption to families. Critics argue that the crackdown targets working-class individuals rather than actual criminals, and recent data from similar operations shows arrests often involve nonviolent offenders. The city's vibrant immigrant community, which includes around 100,000 foreign-born residents, fears the impact of such raids on their lives.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Trump administration's crackdown on immigration has sparked controversy as officials in New Orleans aim to arrest 5,000 individuals, primarily targeting violent offenders. City leaders are expressing skepticism about whether this goal is realistic given the area's demographic.

New Orleans, with a foreign-born population nearing 100,000, is much smaller than significant immigrant hubs like Chicago, where a similar operation saw 5,000 arrests this summer. City Council President J.P. Morrell stated, 'There is no rational basis that a sweep of New Orleans would yield anywhere near 5,000 criminals.' He emphasized that violent crime attributed to illegal immigrants is minimal, pointing to the city’s historic low crime rates.

Federal agents, partaking in the operation named 'Catahoula Crunch,' began arrests throughout the city, causing distress among community members. Social media manager Alejandra Vasquez shared, 'They are taking families and hardworking people, not criminals.'

Resistance to the Operation

Despite community opposition, some politicians stand behind the crackdown. Louisiana's U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson supports the operation, arguing it addresses problems created by 'sanctuary city policies.' This has led to protests at public meetings, where discontent has erupted among locals.

Reports state that Homeland Security officials are focused on immigrants previously arrested for violent crimes. However, local members fear the arrests will often include nonviolent individuals, destabilizing families and the local economy.

Data from similar operations, such as 'Operation Midway Blitz' in Chicago, reveal a significant percentage of those arrested had nonviolent offenses, raising concerns about fairness and effectiveness.

As New Orleans continues to welcome a rich mix of cultures, the outcome of this crackdown remains to be seen. The implications for families and the community at large could be profound, with many calling for a reassessment of the strategies employed by federal immigration enforcement.