NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has abruptly withdrawn its personnel from a high-profile immigration enforcement operation in Louisiana, known as “Catahoula Crunch,” and is redirecting efforts to Minneapolis. This decision, documented in information acquired by the Associated Press, comes in the wake of widespread protests against the operation, which was initially launched to execute thousands of arrests across the New Orleans area.
Launched in December with a significant influx of over 200 federal officers, the operation aimed to extend into February. However, numerous fears among immigrant communities quickly arose as the outreach unfolded. The Trump administration's shift of focus to Minnesota corresponds with intelligence regarding alleged fraudulent activities linked to Somali residents in that region. Officials have reported that more than 2,000 agents are actively involved in what the Department of Homeland Security has labeled the largest immigration enforcement operation to date.
In Minneapolis, the federal presence has met with public outcry, particularly following an incident where an ICE officer fatally shot a woman. As of late last week, documents suggested that officers stationed in Louisiana were continuing to depart for this Minnesota operation. The Department of Homeland Security, when questioned about the deployment's conclusion in Louisiana, indicated they refrain from disclosing operational details during active missions for the safety of their law enforcement personnel.
The "Catahoula Crunch" initiative intended to apprehend around 5,000 individuals, a number reported earlier by AP. However, as of December 18, about 370 have been arrested according to DHS statistics. This operation predominantly targeted the Hispanic community in Kenner, a suburb outside of New Orleans, resulting in widespread business closures among immigrant-run establishments due to fears of harassment.
Prior indications suggested that many arrests during the initial phase of the crackdown involved individuals without any prior criminal records. Additionally, authorities have been observed tracking public criticism and protests concerning the immigration enforcement deployment. Governor Jeff Landry, who is a Republican, publicly supported the operation, contrasting with the response from New Orleans’ Democratic leadership, who criticized the impracticality of a 5,000-arrest target. Videos circulating online depicted agents attempting to detain residents, including footage of a U.S. citizen pursued on the street.
The political landscape in New Orleans is also highlighted by the contrasting reception of a recent National Guard deployment, requested by Governor Landry to combat crime, which has been more favorably received by city leaders. This troop deployment occurred shortly before the anniversary of a tragically notorious truck attack on Bourbon Street that claimed 14 lives on New Year’s Day.
This decisive pivot of ICE from Louisiana to a more extensive crackdown in Minnesota signals a significant shift in federal immigration enforcement strategies in response to community tension and operational effectiveness, further complicating the already contentious climate surrounding immigration policy in the United States.
