Protests and Civil Unrest

DHS has launched "Operation Catahoula Crunch," a two‑month, roughly 250‑agent Border Patrol‑led immigration sweep in New Orleans and nearby Kenner that the department says resulted in “dozens” of arrests within 24 hours and is focused on noncitizens with alleged violent‑crime histories. Local officials have escalated resistance — NOPD says it will not enforce civil immigration law, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is blocking ICE jail access under a long‑standing consent decree, the City Council and mayor‑elect Helena Moreno opened a portal to document alleged federal agent abuses, and Louisiana’s attorney general has demanded cooperation and warned of legal consequences; protests and business closures in Hispanic neighborhoods have also followed the operation.