US Citizen Chased By Masked Federal Agents Near New Orleans Says She Was Targeted For Being 'Brown'

22-Year-Old US Citizen Says Masked Agents Chased Her Near Her Home

Jacelynn Guzman, a 22-year-old US citizen from Marrero, Louisiana, says she was pursued by masked federal agents while walking home and believes she was singled out because of her skin color. The encounter was captured on a home security camera and shared widely online, drawing scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics in the New Orleans area.

What happened: Guzman told reporting partner WWL Louisiana that an SUV pulled up beside her as she returned from a corner store. More unmarked vehicles arrived and several men wearing masks and tactical gear exited. Frightened, Guzman ran to her front door while shouting, "Leave me alone!" The footage shows at least one masked person running after her and two others following more slowly.

Guzman — whose family identifies as Hispanic — said she told an officer she was a US citizen born and raised in the United States and that she had no criminal record, but she felt the agent "did not care at all." She told WWL she believes the encounter was an instance of racial profiling: "I have no idea why they targeted me ... It's devastating. It makes me scared for my family."

"Hispanic people against Hispanic people, bro!" Guzman's stepfather shouted on the security video, pointing out that at least one agent appeared Hispanic.

Official response: A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said Guzman matched the description of someone sought by Border Patrol on a deportation order. DHS said agents later determined she "was not the target" and left without making arrests. The department described the intended subject — who it did not name — as having prior felony theft charges and a conviction for illegal possession of stolen property and called that person a "public safety threat."

DHS also stated agents identified themselves during the encounter and stopped at the property line before departing. Guzman's stepfather said he ordered the agents off his property.

Context: The incident occurred amid a broader enforcement operation in the New Orleans area announced by the administration, which has said it aims to make up to 5,000 arrests focusing on people it describes as violent offenders. The episode has alarmed immigrant communities and civil rights advocates, and previous reporting has shown many people held in US immigration detention have no criminal record, raising concerns about misidentification and racial profiling during wide-scale sweeps.

Why this matters

The case highlights tensions between aggressive immigration enforcement strategies and civil liberties, especially the risks of mistaken identity and the impact of enforcement actions on families and communities. It has prompted calls for clearer oversight of field tactics and safeguards to prevent wrongful targeting.