(NewsNation) — Federal officials on Wednesday arrived in New Orleans, the latest city targeted in President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
The administration did not provide additional details about the mission, dubbed “Operation Catahoula Crunch,” but said it was in response to a lack of coordination with local law enforcement.
“Sanctuary policies endanger American communities by releasing illegal criminal aliens and forcing DHS law enforcement to risk their lives to remove criminal illegal aliens that should have never been put back on the streets,” said Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
The operation, which is set to include more than 200 U.S. Border Patrol agents, will be overseen by Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. Bovino also ran federal immigration efforts this year in Los Angeles and Chicago, where he was met with opposition from state and local elected officials.
Hundreds of Border Patrol agents recently wrapped up a short enforcement effort in Charlotte, North Carolina, which became the latest Democratic-led city to be targeted by the Trump administration.
Turning its attention to New Orleans, a DHS news release included a list of immigrants the agency called “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,” who they say were released onto Louisiana streets because of those policies.
However, a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement official during the Biden administration told NewsNation this week that the New Orleans operation could produce high-volume arrests, but may miss the mark on arresting dangerous migrant criminals.
On Wednesday, NewsNation was given an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the targeted enforcement. Border Patrol agents were searching for a Cuban national who is considered an aggravated felon and a sex offender. DHS officials also released other known targets believed to be in New Orleans.
Those immigrants are wanted after being arrested in connection with allegations of home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto and rape. DHS officials blame the so-called “sanctuary” policies that allowed those being targeted to be released from police custody.
DHS did not specify how long the operation is expected to last.
The move follows Trump’s announcement Tuesday that National Guard troops would soon head to New Orleans. Trump did not specify an arrival date or how many troops would be sent. Other agencies, including the Louisiana State Police and the FBI, will also have a hand in the Louisiana enforcement operation.
The two agencies announced a joint effort geared at deterring assaults on federal agents and officers, as well as efforts to keep protesters from obstructing the efforts of federal agents to make arrests. Homeland Security officials have announced a significant increase in assaults on federal agents this year.
Louisiana’s Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who requested up to 1,000 National Guard troops be sent to his state, said he expects them before Christmas. Landry cited crime concerns, though local police report crime is down and critics argue federal intervention is unnecessary.
On December 3, 2025, Border Patrol Agents conducting immigration enforcement as part of Operation Catahoula Crunch near Kenner, Louisiana that resulted in the arrest of an illegal alien that has broken the immigration laws of our country. .
During the encounter, several suspected illegal aliens climbed on the roof of a residential home and refused to comply with agent commands to come down off the roof.
For the safety of everyone involved in this rapidly evolving law enforcement situation, the determination was made to pursue the subjects on the roof at a later time and place. Border Patrol Agents cleared the scene without further incident.
– Statement via Border Patrol
NewsNation’s Jeff Arnold contributed reporting to this story