New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Online Protests and Intelligence Gathering Concerns
The Trump administration's immigration crackdown in New Orleans has ignited online protests and criticism from local authorities, who claim they have been kept in the dark about virtually every aspect of the operation. The crackdown, dubbed "Catahoula Crunch," has seen 38 people arrested in its first two days, with many more expected to be caught over the next two months.
Despite releasing few details about the arrests, law enforcement officials are monitoring online criticism and message boards around the clock for threats to agents, compiling regular updates on public sentiment. The intelligence gathering has raised concerns among local leaders, who claim that the operation is not targeting violent offenders as stated, but rather a broader group of people with brown skin.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not responded to questions about the intelligence gathering and has instead referred to a prior news release touting "dozens of arrests." The agency has also refused to release an accounting of the detainees taken into custody or their criminal histories. However, law enforcement records reviewed by the Associated Press reveal that only nine of the 38 people arrested have criminal histories that rise beyond traffic violations.
Critics argue that the crackdown is not about public safety but rather stoking chaos and fear in communities. Louisiana state senator Royce Duplessis has stated that the operation is "furthering a sick narrative of stereotypes that immigrants are violent." The city council president, JP Morrell, has also expressed concerns that the online surveillance could chill free speech as authorities threaten to charge anyone interfering with immigration enforcement.
Social media posts have been flagged for discussing racial profiling and agents not targeting only criminal immigrants. Reddit forums have also seen discussions on the operation, with some users accusing agents of profiling Hispanic areas specifically.
The records reviewed by the AP suggest that law enforcement officials are carefully tracking public reaction to the crackdown, including viral videos of encounters where masked agents chase people returning home from the grocery store. The chatter on online forums slows down at night, only to pick up again as daylight arrives and agencies return to work.
As the operation continues, concerns remain about transparency and accountability. Local leaders have called for greater information to be released about the arrests and operations, citing a lack of trust in the authorities' claims that the crackdown is targeting violent offenders.
The Trump administration's immigration crackdown in New Orleans has ignited online protests and criticism from local authorities, who claim they have been kept in the dark about virtually every aspect of the operation. The crackdown, dubbed "Catahoula Crunch," has seen 38 people arrested in its first two days, with many more expected to be caught over the next two months.
Despite releasing few details about the arrests, law enforcement officials are monitoring online criticism and message boards around the clock for threats to agents, compiling regular updates on public sentiment. The intelligence gathering has raised concerns among local leaders, who claim that the operation is not targeting violent offenders as stated, but rather a broader group of people with brown skin.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not responded to questions about the intelligence gathering and has instead referred to a prior news release touting "dozens of arrests." The agency has also refused to release an accounting of the detainees taken into custody or their criminal histories. However, law enforcement records reviewed by the Associated Press reveal that only nine of the 38 people arrested have criminal histories that rise beyond traffic violations.
Critics argue that the crackdown is not about public safety but rather stoking chaos and fear in communities. Louisiana state senator Royce Duplessis has stated that the operation is "furthering a sick narrative of stereotypes that immigrants are violent." The city council president, JP Morrell, has also expressed concerns that the online surveillance could chill free speech as authorities threaten to charge anyone interfering with immigration enforcement.
Social media posts have been flagged for discussing racial profiling and agents not targeting only criminal immigrants. Reddit forums have also seen discussions on the operation, with some users accusing agents of profiling Hispanic areas specifically.
The records reviewed by the AP suggest that law enforcement officials are carefully tracking public reaction to the crackdown, including viral videos of encounters where masked agents chase people returning home from the grocery store. The chatter on online forums slows down at night, only to pick up again as daylight arrives and agencies return to work.
As the operation continues, concerns remain about transparency and accountability. Local leaders have called for greater information to be released about the arrests and operations, citing a lack of trust in the authorities' claims that the crackdown is targeting violent offenders.
this whole thing is really messed up. It's like they're watching everything online to see how people react but then they don't even care about giving us the facts. I mean, if it was just about stopping bad guys, why not release some info? And what's with all these arrests? 38 in two days? That's insane! 
this is really disturbing news, people are being rounded up left and right without anyone knowing what's going on... or why 
it feels like a big ol' mess to me, they're not even releasing basic info about who's getting arrested and why... 
and now they're using intel gathering? That just doesn't sit well with me 
it's like they're trying to watch our backs, but at the same time, they're also kinda invading our right to free speech online 
what if people are just standing up for themselves and expressing their opinions? Shouldn't that be allowed? 
. Can't we just rely on good old-fashioned law enforcement tactics instead of creepy online monitoring?
. i mean, 38 people arrested in two days? that's crazy! and they won't release info about who's being detained or even if they have a record. it's like they're hiding something 
. i'm seeing so many videos on social media where ppl are just walking home from the grocery store when suddenly masked agents show up out of nowhere... what's going on? 
. I'm all for keeping people safe, but not at the expense of our civil rights. Can't we have open dialogue about this instead of just sweeping it under the rug? 
It's like they're trying to create a surveillance state where "national security" is just a fancy word for "we want to know what you're saying". Give me a break 
. Local leaders need transparency, not some half-baked PR stunt that claims they're doing the right thing 
.
Only a few people had actual crimes, but it's all about targeting brown-skinned folks 
.
. Louisiana senator Royce Duplessis said it best, this whole thing is perpetuating sick stereotypes 
. And now we're talking about online surveillance chilling free speech? That's just not cool 
. It's all very suspicious 
. The city council president, JP Morrell, is on point too, questioning the lack of transparency and accountability 
. We need more info about these arrests and operations ASAP! 
I'm literally fuming right now about this New Orleans immigration crackdown! It's like they're trying to instill fear and chaos in an already vulnerable community. The fact that law enforcement is monitoring online criticism 24/7 for threats to agents is just straight up creepy. Like, what are they even looking for? Not actual crime evidence, but rather people expressing their opinions? 