On December 7, 2025, an immigration enforcement operation commenced in Louisiana, highlighting a conflict between New Orleans' sanctuary city policies and state laws supported by Republican officials. New Orleans officials have expressed reluctance to endorse the operation, which is part of a broader trend of federal immigration enforcement in Democratic-led cities. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly backed the federal initiative, asserting, "Louisiana will not be a refuge for violent offenders," and acknowledged the involvement of President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The operation, termed "Operation Catahoula Crunch" by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is framed as a response to perceived crime issues, despite data indicating a decline in violent crime in New Orleans. The city is projected to experience its lowest homicide rate in nearly five decades, with 97 reported murders in 2025 compared to 124 in 2024.

Local leaders have criticized the enforcement actions as unnecessary and harmful, with New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Moreno stating that the operation has instilled fear among vulnerable residents. However, state officials have limited the city's ability to resist federal enforcement, as Governor Landry has enacted policies to enhance cooperation between state and federal immigration authorities.

In May, Landry issued an executive order mandating state law enforcement to assist in federal immigration operations, including participation in the DHS's 287(g) program, which allows local agencies to enforce federal immigration laws. Over 20 parishes in Louisiana have entered agreements with federal immigration officials, including Jefferson Parish, which has a significant Latino population.

Landry's administration has also expedited the deportation process for undocumented inmates. These policies align with similar initiatives in other Republican-led states but conflict with New Orleans' sanctuary city status, which limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

In 2016, the New Orleans Police Department adopted a policy restricting assistance to federal immigration authorities, stemming from a 2013 federal consent decree addressing issues of corruption and racial profiling within the department. Recently, a federal judge ended this consent decree at the request of city leaders and the U.S. Department of Justice.

State Attorney General Liz Murrill has encouraged local law enforcement to fully cooperate with federal immigration agents, citing a state law that penalizes municipal employees for noncompliance. Murrill is also involved in a legal dispute with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office regarding the detention of immigration detainees.

Immigration advocates in New Orleans have called for stronger resistance to federal enforcement tactics, noting that the operation has led to increased fear within immigrant communities. Reports indicate that families are keeping children home from school and businesses are closing due to heightened enforcement.

The operation has already resulted in several arrests, although this number represents a small fraction of the 5,000 individuals targeted by the federal initiative. Tensions escalated during a recent City Council meeting, where protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement led to confrontations with law enforcement. City officials have expressed their commitment to ensuring the safety and rights of all residents, but many immigrants continue to feel unsafe amid the ongoing enforcement actions.

Additionally, state and federal authorities are actively monitoring online criticism and protests regarding the operation. Law enforcement records indicate that only 9 out of 38 individuals arrested had criminal histories beyond minor traffic violations, contradicting claims that the operation targets dangerous offenders. Local leaders, including New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morrell, have criticized the operation as a broad dragnet disproportionately affecting individuals based on their ethnicity, particularly in communities of color.

The surveillance efforts include monitoring social media platforms and online forums where residents discuss the immigration raids. Reports indicate that state and federal agencies are collaborating closely, with the Louisiana State Police pledging operational support to immigration authorities. This cooperation has raised alarms among community organizers, who assert that their activities are lawful and aimed at protecting vulnerable populations. The monitoring of public discourse and the potential for punitive measures against those who protest immigration enforcement have led to calls for greater accountability and transparency from authorities.