U.S. Immigration Enforcement

DHS and Border Patrol launched "Operation Catahoula Crunch," deploying roughly 250 agents in New Orleans, Kenner and southeast Louisiana and saying it targets violent criminal noncitizens — with federal officials reporting dozens to more than 250 arrests so far and an eventual goal of thousands. The sweep, which included convoys and detentions near businesses and sparked council‑chamber protests, has drawn local pushback: NOPD and the Orleans Parish sheriff refuse to enforce civil immigration law, the Louisiana attorney general has demanded cooperation, and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser criticized the operation for its labor impacts and family separations amid reports many detainees had no criminal histories.

Iran says a second U.S. deportation flight carrying 55 Iranians has left the United States, with Tehran's foreign ministry saying the deportees "announced their willingness for return" and that U.S. authorities cited legal breaches of immigration regulations. A U.S. official told the NYT the routine deportation also carried non‑Iranian nationals who would disembark in Cairo while the Iranians were routed via Kuwait to transfer to a chartered Kuwait Airways flight to Tehran; ICE declined to confirm specific flights, saying removal flights occur every day.