Border Patrol Enters An Uneasy New Orleans

The arrival of federal law enforcement in New Orleans this week further strains a city on the verge of welcoming a new leader — and sets up the latest clash between local Democrats and Republican officials over President Donald Trump’s wide-reaching immigration enforcement agenda.

New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, weeks away from taking office, was elected in October on promises to revitalize the city and move it past the chaos caused by its outgoing mayor LaToya Cantrell, who was indicted on federal corruption charges. Now, with the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation underway in the Democratic-led city, Moreno faces a national challenge to confront as the city is thrust into the spotlight.

“Moreno is going to enter office with neighborhoods severely harmed economically, emotionally, and it’s yet another hurdle,” said Dane Strother, a Democratic strategist who has worked in Louisiana. “We have a city on the brink now with budget woes, and the feds can push it over the cliff.”

In a federal operation dubbed “Catahoula Crunch,” named after hunting dogs who roam swamps, the Department of Homeland Security said their agents will target violent criminals in New Orleans, though some fear the federal officers could arrest people who committed only minor criminal offenses or have no criminal record.

It marks the fourth destination for DHS after similar efforts in Los Angeles, Chicago and Charlotte — but the action in Louisiana marks an escalation of the federal government’s immigration crackdown with its goal of arresting roughly 5,000 people. It also represents the first Border Patrol deployment within a Democrat-led city with the full-throated cooperation of a Republican governor, raising the potential for local and state leaders to be pitted against each other.

GOP Gov. Jeff Landry teased the operation on Fox News earlier this week, calling New Orleans a “crime ridden city” that needs “more boots on the ground in order to get crime under control.” New Orleans used to have the highest homicide rate in the country, but crime has reportedly dropped in recent years, like it has for many major U.S. cities.

As the Crescent City’s first Hispanic mayor, Moreno has expressed concerns about resident’s due process rights being violated and has criticized federal officials for not providing her with any information about the operation. Ahead of the deployment, Moreno launched a website listing resources for people affected by the law enforcement action. An aide for Moreno declined to comment.

Born in Mexico, Moreno grew up in Houston and later became a familiar face in New Orleans as a local broadcast journalist. She unsuccessfully challenged scandal-plagued former Rep. William Jefferson in 2008, and then served in the state legislature and on the city council. Her mayoral campaign focused on improving New Orleans’ beleaguered city services and overhauling city hall.

When word first spread in September that the White House was considering sending the National Guard into New Orleans, Moreno vowed to “fight any federal takeover” and deemed the threat to be about “scare tactics and politicizing public safety.”

Trump’s crusade against Democratic-led cities has put city leaders across the U.S. on defense, with many making preparations in anticipation they will be the next on the administration’s list. New Orleans leaders and groups have been in contact with cities dealing with the presence of federal immigration agents to build a roadmap for their own response.

“I don’t think it should come as a surprise in any way,” said Royce Duplessis, a city council member who finished second to Moreno in the mayoral race.

“It’ll be a question of how well will this administration work with the state and federal government to have open lines of communication, but also standing up when necessary,” he said.

It’s unclear how long the Border Patrol will remain in New Orleans, but local leaders are bracing for the possibility that the National Guard will also be dispatched, and Landry said this week that he wants Guard personnel in place before Christmas. Trump on Tuesday noted that Landry called him to request help and that “we are going to go there in a couple of weeks.” In Tennessee, the National Guard remains stationed in Memphis and arrived with the blessing of Gov. Bill Lee, another Republican who requested federal intervention.

New Orleans was on edge in the weeks leading up to the deployment, with its immigrant communities in particular concerned that the operation could sweep up legal immigrants or those without criminal records. Protests have spread across the city, some Hispanic-owned businesses have shuttered and schools sent home guidance to assure worried parents.

Community organizations and legal advocacy groups are worried that Landry’s support for the mission — which differs from similar efforts in California, Illinois and North Carolina — could inflame tensions within the city and extend the deployment.

“He’s basically acknowledging and giving permission to what could turn into potentially dangerous and violent situations where he’s going to name that any and all actions have his sanction and his approval, which I think provides a lot of cover and can make things more dangerous,” said Sarah Whittington, advocacy director at the Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The occupation is the latest stressor for New Orleans, where its residents have long been frustrated by consistently poor basic city services, like inconsistent trash pickup, ubiquitous power outages and frequent boil water notices. Insurance premiums are skyrocketing and its population is shrinking. Parts of the city never fully recovered from the pandemic. Two thirds of New Orleanians believe the city is on the wrong track.

Residents are also fatigued by countless corruption scandals among public officials, most prominently with term-limited Cantrell, who was indicted on multiple counts in August as part of a federal investigation into her use of city funds to travel around the country with her bodyguard, with whom she was allegedly having an affair. Cantrell pleaded not guilty to federal conspiracy and fraud charges.

Since she’s been under investigation, Cantrell’s critics say she’s been absent from her leadership role — and blame her team for steering the city into financial despair. New Orleans is grappling with a multi-million dollar fiscal crisis that at one point recently threatened a state takeover. Bringing the city out of its financial hole will be an early order of business for Moreno, who currently sits on the city council.

Still, New Orleans remains an economic driver of Louisiana, with a bustling service and tourist industry reliant on immigrant labor. There’s unease that backlash to DHS’ presence could add to the city’s financial strain, as businesses who rely on that workforce shutter.

“It’s a real test of her leadership,” said Ashley Shelton, president of the Power Coalition, a Louisiana voting rights organization based in New Orleans. “How hard is she going to fight to protect everyone in the city?”