Overview
- Several hundred Border Patrol agents — reported at roughly 200 to 250 — have deployed across the region, with internal planning documents describing a goal of up to about 5,000 detentions across southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi.
- DHS has not released arrest totals, but Bovino said “a lot” of arrests were made as reporters and advocates documented detentions at home‑improvement stores, job sites and in neighborhoods in New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie, Gretna and LaPlace.
- The ACLU of Louisiana filed a federal suit against Act 399, arguing the new state law criminalizing interference with immigration enforcement is overly broad and violates the First Amendment.
- The FBI’s New Orleans Field Office and the Louisiana State Police announced efforts to deter and investigate assaults on officers or attempts to obstruct enforcement, with state leaders warning of prosecutions under the new law.
- Local effects intensified, with reports of Hispanic workers missing shifts, lower attendance among Hispanic students and some businesses temporarily closing as the operation continues without a stated end date.