The Department of Homeland Security indicates a federal immigration enforcement operation could begin in New Orleans as soon as Dec. 1, with about 200 Border Patrol agents potentially deployed. Internal plans request armored vehicles and special operations teams, mirroring recent actions in Charlotte, Chicago and Los Angeles led by the same Border Patrol commander. Those earlier operations produced hundreds of arrests and prompted protests and allegations of racial profiling, which federal officials deny. Local political dynamics in Louisiana — a Democratic mayor and a Republican governor who has cooperated with federal authorities — may shape how the operation unfolds.
New Orleans Could Face Federal Immigration Sweep Starting Dec. 1 — Border Patrol May Deploy 200 Agents
The Department of Homeland Security indicates a federal immigration enforcement operation could begin in New Orleans as soon as Dec. 1, with about 200 Border Patrol agents potentially deployed. Internal plans request armored vehicles and special operations teams, mirroring recent actions in Charlotte, Chicago and Los Angeles led by the same Border Patrol commander. Those earlier operations produced hundreds of arrests and prompted protests and allegations of racial profiling, which federal officials deny. Local political dynamics in Louisiana — a Democratic mayor and a Republican governor who has cooperated with federal authorities — may shape how the operation unfolds.
05:52 PM, 11/19/2025Politics
Department of Homeland Security sources say a federal immigration enforcement operation in New Orleans could begin as early as Dec. 1. Plans indicate roughly 200 Border Patrol agents may be deployed to the city as part of a broader nationwide initiative targeting undocumented immigrants in multiple metropolitan areas.
What officials are planning
Internal planning documents show requests for armored vehicles and special operations teams for actions in both New Orleans and a recent operation in Charlotte. The documents and sources identify Border Patrol units operating far from the U.S.-Mexico border and name commander Gregory Bovino as leading recent deployments in other cities.
Recent related operations
In the past weeks, operations led by the same Border Patrol teams conducted roundups in Charlotte, resulting in more than 200 recorded arrests. Prior sweeps in Chicago and Los Angeles reportedly included arrests at worksites, parking lots and other public locations across those metro areas.
Response and controversy
Those operations have sparked protests and accusations from community leaders and civil-rights advocates alleging heavy-handed tactics and racial profiling. Federal officials have denied those allegations, saying arrests are based on suspicions about immigration status rather than race and noting instances of attacks against law enforcement. The commander involved defended his teams’ conduct as "exemplary" in prior operations.
Local political context
New Orleans presents a mixed political landscape: the city has a Democratic mayor, while Louisiana’s governor, Jeff Landry, is a Republican ally of the administration and has cooperated with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Officials say coordination with state authorities factors into operational planning.
The situation remains fluid. Officials have not publicly confirmed final deployment dates or detailed operational targets. Community groups, elected officials and local law enforcement are preparing for the possibility of increased federal activity in the coming weeks.