DHS Launches ‘Operation Catahoula Crunch’ Targeting Illegal Immigrants in New Orleans

The Department of Homeland Security has begun a coordinated enforcement campaign in New Orleans, focusing on criminal illegal immigrants released under sanctuary policies.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Wednesday that it has launched Operation Catahoula Crunch, a new immigration enforcement initiative aimed at arresting illegal immigrants who were released from local jails without federal notification. The operation centers on cases tied to sanctuary policies in New Orleans and surrounding areas.

According to DHS, the operation targets individuals who were previously taken into custody for serious crimes, including home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto, and rape, but were released by local authorities. The agency listed 10 such cases involving foreign nationals who reentered the community without Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) being alerted.

“Sanctuary policies endanger American communities by releasing illegal criminal aliens and forcing DHS law enforcement to risk their lives to remove criminal illegal aliens that should have never been put back on the streets,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Catahoula Crunch targets include violent criminals who were released after arrest for home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto, and rape. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are restoring law and order for the American people.”

As part of the operation, hundreds of Border Patrol and ICE agents have been deployed to the region, WWLTV reported. Federal officials have confirmed multiple arrests since the operation began.

The launch of Catahoula Crunch coincided with protests in downtown New Orleans, where several dozen activists marched from Lafayette Square to City Hall on Monday night in opposition to the broader “Swamp Sweep” initiative — a months-long immigration crackdown spanning multiple southern states.

DHS officials say the goal of the operation is to ensure local compliance with federal law, emphasizing that coordination between agencies is vital to public safety. The agency’s statement reiterated that the enforcement efforts are focused solely on individuals unlawfully present in the United States who have committed criminal offenses.