CRBC News
Politics
Conflict
Security
Economy
Science
Technology
Environment
Health
Culture
Society
Lifestyle
Security

DHS Detains Dozens In New Orleans Within 24 Hours During Operation Catahoula Crunch

09:41 AM, 12/05/2025
DHS Detains Dozens In New Orleans Within 24 Hours During Operation Catahoula Crunch

Federal authorities say they arrested dozens in New Orleans within 24 hours of launching Operation Catahoula Crunch, an enforcement action targeting immigrants alleged to have committed serious crimes. DHS released photos and named several detainees, who are reportedly from Vietnam, Honduras, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin highlighted alleged offenses ranging from homicide and kidnapping to drug possession, and criticized sanctuary policies for undermining public safety.

Operation Catahoula Crunch Yields Dozens Of Arrests In New Orleans

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday that officers detained dozens of people in New Orleans within 24 hours of launching Operation Catahoula Crunch, a federal enforcement effort focused on removing immigrants alleged to have committed serious crimes.

"Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens harming them, their families or their neighbors," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. She added: "In just 24 hours on the ground, our law enforcement officers have arrested violent criminals with rap sheets that include homicide, kidnapping, child abuse, robbery, theft and assault."

DHS released photographs of the individuals detained, whom the agency described as allegedly "terrorizing Americans." According to DHS, the detainees have criminal records and are reported to come from Vietnam, Honduras, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.

Individuals Identified By DHS

  • Binh Van To (Vietnam): DHS says he has convictions alleged to include kidnapping, homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.
  • Hung Ngoc Tran (Vietnam): Identified by DHS as having convictions for sexual assault, larceny and the alleged fondling of a child.
  • Carlos Roberto Guardado-Ramirez (Honduras): Arrested on charges listed by DHS as simple battery, domestic abuse, child endangerment, resisting an officer and driving while intoxicated.
  • Jose Raul Lopez-Serrano (Honduras): Noted by DHS as having a prior conviction for marijuana possession and a past arrest for disturbing the peace.
  • Luis Fernando Maldonado-Velasquez (Guatemala): Subject to an immigration warrant; DHS says he was previously arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and for forging and altering documents.
  • Freddy Caldero-Caraballo (Dominican Republic): Reportedly arrested on suspicion of cocaine possession, public intoxication and driving while intoxicated, according to DHS.

McLaughlin used the arrests to criticize sanctuary jurisdictions, saying those policies have in some cases allowed individuals accused of crimes to be released back into communities. She warned sanctuary policies can create public-safety risks and called on officials to prioritize community safety and cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The reporting cites DHS statements and Fox News Digital, which said it reached out to DHS for additional comment.

Similar Articles

Trending