In brief
The Department of Homeland Security has reallocated over 200 immigration officers from Louisiana to Minneapolis, where they will engage in a large-scale enforcement operation dubbed 'Catahoula Crunch.' This operation faced backlash and protests in New Orleans, leading to its cessation and a pivot towards Minnesota, which has seen demonstrations following a recent ICE-related shooting incident.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Federal immigration officers are pulling out of a Louisiana crackdown and heading to Minneapolis in an abrupt pivot from an operation that drew protests around New Orleans and aimed to make thousands of arrests, according to documents.
The shift appears to mark the end of the “Catahoula Crunch” operation that started in December with over 200 officers deployed. Many feared the operation would escalate in February targeting immigrant communities.
The Trump administration has surged federal resources to Minnesota in response to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents. More than 2,000 officers are part of what the Department of Homeland Security is describing as the largest immigration enforcement operation in history.
This recent move garnered protests and public outcry as Minnesota grapples with the aftermath of an ICE officer fatally shooting a woman earlier this week.
Documentation suggests the deployment in Louisiana was winding down as officers relocated towards Minneapolis.
“For the safety of our law enforcement, we do not disclose operational details while they are underway,” DHS stated on Friday concerning the potential closure of the operation in Louisiana.
In December, DHS dispatched more than 200 federal officers to New Orleans to conduct a protracted operation, which included targeting the heavily immigrant population in Kenner, causing immigrant businesses to shut down out of fear. Only around 370 arrests had been reported by December 18.
Governor Jeff Landry supported the crackdown, while New Orleans’ Democratic leadership criticized the operation as unrealistic, highlighting incidents where agents appeared to unlawfully detain residents.
New Orleans' leaders welcomed the National Guard's deployment authorized by the Trump administration to combat crime in the city amid security concerns following recent violent incidents.
Associated Press writer Rebecca Santana contributed to this report from Minneapolis.
