DHS launches Operation Catahoula Crunch targeting criminals in New Orleans
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched its newest immigration raid operation in New Orleans, aimed at catching “criminal illegal aliens.”
The federal crackdown targets illegal immigrants who were arrested for crimes and later released due to sanctuary policies, DHS said in its Operation Catahoula Crunch announcement. The department said such officers “force” local law enforcement to “turn a blind eye” to arresting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees.
“Asylum policies endanger American communities by releasing illegal criminal aliens and forcing DHS law enforcement to risk their lives to eliminate illegal criminal aliens who should never be sent back to the streets again,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.no declaration.
“It is foolish to let these monsters loose on the streets of New Orleans to COMMIT MORE CRIME and create more victims. Targets of the Catahoula Crunch include violent criminals released after being arrested for home invasions, armed robbery, grand theft auto, and rape,” he said. “Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are restoring law and order for the American people.”
ICE NABS CHILD RAPISTS, ARMED ROBBERS, ATTACKS ON COPS INCREASED BY 1,153%
Activists demonstrate against potential immigration enforcement raids at City Hall in New Orleans, Los Angeles on December 1, 2025. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
In its announcement, DHS cited several examples of illegal immigrants being released from custody despite their criminal records. People on the list were arrested for crimes such as aggravated assault with a firearm, domestic violence, drunk driving, home invasion and sexual assault.
New Orleans Police Department Chief Anne Kirkpatrick sparked reactions last week when she said that illegal immigration of foreign nationals in the United States was a “civil issue” and that her agency would not enforce some immigration laws.
“We won’t enforce civil law“So our support is to make sure they don’t get hurt and our community doesn’t get endangered,” Kirkpatrick said.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill He said he spoke to Kirkpatrick about those remarks on social media and reaffirmed that “obstructing ICE and federal immigration enforcement is a state crime.”
New Orleans Police Department Anne Kirkpatrick, center, wearing white, is surrounded by Louisiana authorities following a terrorist attack before the 2025 Sugar Bowl. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
WOMAN DIED IN VIOLENT ACCIDENT, WHICH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WAS ALLEGEDLY DRUNK AND DRIVING AT EXCESSIVE SPEED: DHS
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accused the Biden administration of using DHS to “invade the country with terrorists,” while the Trump administration emphasized its crackdown on illegal immigration.
“If you think about what Joe Biden did with the Department of Homeland Security, he used that department to invade the country with terrorists. He opened the borders, he allowed anyone who wanted to come in,” Noem said at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. he said. “He put them on planes, let them through our airports, if they found a way to get to our shores and our country, he opened the door and invited them in. So it’s our job to get them out.”
On Tuesday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued new guidance that will pause immigration from 19 countries, 12 of which are under complete travel bans and the other seven are under partial restrictions. The affected countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
Attendees applaud during the Citizenship Recognition Ceremony held at City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Wilkes-Barre. (Jason Ardan/Citizens’ Voice via Getty Images)
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The immigration pause, which will take effect immediately, will apply to citizens of the 19 countries on the list who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021, the date of inauguration of former President Joe Biden. Immigrants who come to the United States from one of 19 countries after that date will be subject to a re-vetting process that may include an interview to screen for any potential national security and public safety risks.
This also affects all green card and citizenship applications for anyone coming from one of the countries where the restriction currently applies. People who have passed the citizenship test from one of 19 countries will not be able to participate in US citizenship ceremonies until the directive is lifted.
Bill Melugin of Fox News and Charles Creitz of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
