Operation Catahoula Crunch: New Orleans’ Sanctuary Policies Collide With Louisiana’s Pro‑Enforcement Push

Operation Catahoula Crunch Tests New Orleans’ Sanctuary Stance

Federal immigration enforcement launched Wednesday in Louisiana under the Department of Homeland Security operation called Operation Catahoula Crunch, setting up a clash between New Orleans’ sanctuary-city policies and a state government that has embraced aggressive cooperation with federal authorities.

New Orleans leaders say the city will not broadly assist the sweep, arguing that cooperation would harm trust with immigrant communities in a city known for its diversity. At the state level, Gov. Jeff Landry has publicly supported federal intervention. In a social-media post he said, “Louisiana will not be a refuge for violent offenders. We stand with our federal partners and the law enforcement officers who protect our people every day.” Landry has framed the enforcement push as part of a broader crime-fighting strategy.

Conflicting Policies And New State Orders

Since taking office, Landry has moved state policy to the right on immigration. In May he issued an executive order directing state law enforcement to assist federal immigration operations and encouraging local departments to enroll in the DHS 287(g) program, which allows ICE to delegate certain immigration-enforcement authorities to state or local officers.

More than 20 parishes have signed agreements with federal immigration authorities, including Jefferson Parish — adjacent to Orleans Parish and home to the state’s largest Latino population. Kenner, a city in Jefferson Parish where Hispanic residents account for roughly 30% of the population, has leadership that supports federal involvement.

New Orleans’ Local Response

New Orleans maintains a sanctuary policy. Since 2016 the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has generally prohibited officers from assisting federal immigration authorities except in narrow circumstances — for example, threats to public safety or to execute a court-issued warrant. That stance traces to a 2013 federal consent decree designed to address past corruption and unconstitutional practices, including racial profiling.

On Nov. 19, less than two weeks before federal agents began deploying to New Orleans, a federal judge lifted that consent decree at the joint request of city leaders and the U.S. Department of Justice. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said at the time that the department had "graduated" from federal oversight after reforms and reiterated that immigration enforcement is a civil matter the NOPD would not proactively handle.

State Attorney General Liz Murrill has pushed back. In a recent letter she urged Superintendent Kirkpatrick to direct officers to "fully cooperate" with ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, citing a state statute that can criminalize municipal employees who refuse to assist federal immigration agencies and referencing federal laws related to concealing undocumented persons. Murrill is also litigating against the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office over its policy limiting jails from holding immigration detainees; that sheriff’s office remains under a separate consent decree.

Community Impact And Enforcement Results

Local leaders and immigrant-rights groups say the operation has sparked fear and disruption in immigrant neighborhoods. Organizer Rachel Taber of Union Migrante said parents have kept children home from school, businesses have temporarily closed and many residents are staying inside to avoid encounters with law enforcement.

“The announcement of Operation Catahoula Crunch has caused significant alarm in our city and created a culture of fear among our most vulnerable residents,”

New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Moreno wrote in a statement.

DHS officials reported that "dozens" were arrested in the early days of the sweep — a small share of an administration-wide target of about 5,000 arrests. The operation has also prompted tense public meetings and protests: a city council meeting recently featured heated exchanges and the removal of anti-ICE demonstrators by officers.

Crime Context

State officials argue that tougher enforcement is needed to combat crime. Local police data tell a more complicated story: the New Orleans Police Department reported 97 homicides as of early November 2025 compared with 124 in the same period in 2024, putting the city on pace for its lowest homicide total in nearly 50 years.

What’s Next

The legal and political battle between state and local officials is likely to continue. New Orleans leaders say their options to obstruct federal immigration enforcement are limited, while state officials are pushing laws and policies that encourage cooperation. Community advocates are urging city leaders to do more to protect residents’ civil rights and limit the chilling effects of federal immigration operations.

Key actors to watch: Gov. Jeff Landry, Attorney General Liz Murrill, NOPD leadership, DHS/ICE/CBP, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, immigrant-rights groups such as Union Migrante, and federal courts overseeing related litigation.

This article is based on reporting by NBC News and local statements from officials and community advocates.