Border Patrol Prepares Mass Arrests in New Orleans

Border Patrol Operation in Louisiana

Community fears new detentions

Stricter state laws

In the coming days, Border Patrol agents will arrive in New Orleans, Louisiana, to carry out mass arrests operations similar to those previously conducted in Chicago, Illinois, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The move is part of the large-scale arrest and deportation campaign promoted by the Donald Trump administration.

Border Patrol Operation Prepares to Reach Louisiana

A Border Patrol-led immigration crackdown is coming to southeast Louisiana. Here’s what to knowhttps://t.co/nii7RElqhX pic.twitter.com/B0kJWj18zn

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 1, 2025

Although it was initially reported that the operation would be named Swamp Sweep and include Mississippi, an official familiar with the plan told NBC News that the deployment will carry a different name, though it was not disclosed.

You may also like: Trump Rekindles National Debate by Hinting at Stripping Citizenship and Toughening His Stance on Immigration

Telemundo reports that an estimated 6.5% of New Orleans’ population was born outside the United States.

In the metropolitan area, 14% of residents are of Latino origin, though not all are immigrants.

Louisiana Reinforces Its Hard-Line Approach Amid Federal Operations

More than 200 Border Patrol agents are being sent to New Orleans: immigration operations are expected.
Reported by @LidiaTerrazas

Detalles https://t.co/T7JVXOOjOL

Sigue esta y más noticias las 24 horas en @VIX#ViX #ViXStreaming #ViXGratis pic.twitter.com/6gSwtoTjEg

— Univision Noticias (@UniNoticias) December 1, 2025

The goal of the operation is to detain about 5,000 people as part of the national mass-arrest strategy, according to The Associated Press.

Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who led operations in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, is expected to direct actions in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The deployment arrives in a complex context.

The Department of Justice has accused New Orleans of obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

The city appears on a list of 18 jurisdictions considered “sanctuaries.”

The local jail—under federal supervision for years—does not cooperate with ICE in most cases.

City police argue that immigration enforcement is a civil matter outside their jurisdiction.

Even so, the Republican-majority state legislature has pushed laws requiring New Orleans to align with the Trump administration’s hard-line migration policies.

One measure criminalizes any attempt to interfere with federal immigration-control efforts.

Violators may face fines and up to one year in jail.

Lawmakers also expanded the crime of malfeasance for officials who refuse to comply with requests from federal agencies such as ICE.

Penalties can reach 10 years in prison.

The legislation also prohibits releasing people who have “entered or remained in the country illegally” without first notifying the appropriate federal agency.

Fear and Preparation in the Immigrant Community

In New Orleans and surrounding areas, immigration attorneys report a sharp rise in consultations.

Many residents are preparing for the arrival of federal agents.

Attorney Miguel Elías noted that much of the legal assistance is being provided by phone or virtually due to fear of appearing in person.

Elías compared the preventive measures taken by many families to hurricane preparations.

People shelter at home, store food, and coordinate who will take children to school to minimize outings.

Local businesses have posted signs banning federal agents from entering.

Grassroots organizations are offering workshops on legal rights and guidance on how to document any abuse.

Although New Orleans is known for its cultural diversity, only 6.7% of its nearly 400,000 residents are foreign-born.

In nearby metropolitan areas, the proportion approaches 10%, still below the national average of 14.3%, according to census data.

Tension Over the Border Patrol Operation

The arrival of Border Patrol in New Orleans comes as concern grows among immigrant families, local businesses, and community groups.

The deployment—whose official name remains undisclosed—adds to a federal strategy set to expand into new regions.

As Louisiana and Mississippi brace for the operation, affected communities face days of uncertainty, reorganization, and fear over the scale of the arrests expected under the Border Patrol mass arrests Louisiana initiative.