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Operation 'Catahoula Crunch' Enters Day 2 in New Orleans With Arrests and Protests

Local leaders roll out reporting and legal-aid efforts in response to a monthslong deployment that DHS says targets violent offenders.

Overview

  • DHS says more than 200 federal agents are on the ground, with local outlets reporting roughly 250 deployed for a monthslong surge that aims for about 5,000 arrests across southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi.
  • Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino is leading the sweep and said it will continue “until the mission is accomplished,” but officials have released no arrest totals.
  • Advocates and reporters documented multiple detentions at home‑improvement stores, job sites and in traffic, with viral video showing an agent pointing a gun at construction workers on a roof before one arrest.
  • Businesses in Hispanic neighborhoods closed or reduced hours and schools reported sharp drops in attendance among Hispanic students as families stayed home out of fear.
  • The FBI and Louisiana State Police warned against obstructing agents, Governor Jeff Landry welcomed the operation, New Orleans launched an abuse‑reporting portal, and the ACLU sued to block a new state law criminalizing interference.