Federal Immigration Shifts From Louisiana to Minneapolis

Published: 10 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Federal immigration officers are leaving Louisiana for Minneapolis, marking a sudden shift in enforcement priorities. This federal immigration operation, which initially drew attention in New Orleans, has been closely watched for its impact on local communities and businesses. Focused on arrests of thousands, the Louisiana deployment, known as “Catahoula Crunch,” now appears to be winding down as officers are redeployed to Minnesota. Federal immigration enforcement has sparked protests and debates over legal and humanitarian implications, with immigrant communities raising concerns about profiling and safety.

Documents obtained by the Associated Press confirm that officers assigned to Louisiana began moving to Minneapolis late last week. The Department of Homeland Security stated, “For the safety of our law enforcement, operational details while under way cannot be disclosed,” when asked about the Louisiana operation’s conclusion. The original plan had anticipated thousands of arrests stretching into February, raising concerns among immigrant communities across New Orleans and surrounding areas. Many residents feared being racially profiled, with some businesses temporarily closing during the federal immigration sweep.

The Louisiana crackdown started in December with more than 200 officers deployed under border patrol chief Gregory Bovino. The operation aimed for 5,000 arrests, though by mid-December only about 370 had occurred, with many of those individuals having no criminal history. Local leaders criticized the approach, highlighting videos showing masked officers pursuing residents, including US citizens, near their homes. Governor Jeff Landry welcomed the initiative, contrasting with New Orleans’s Democratic officials who warned that the aggressive tactics risked community trust and public safety.

The federal immigration pivot to Minneapolis is part of a broader federal effort, reportedly involving more than 2,000 officers in what the Department of Homeland Security calls the largest immigration enforcement operation in US history. The Minnesota deployment has already faced protests after a federal officer fatally shot a woman, igniting local outrage. Activists argue that targeting specific immigrant communities, particularly Somali residents, could exacerbate tensions and heighten risks for civilians.

Meanwhile, in Louisiana, residents and business owners are cautiously reopening after the federal immigration crackdown. In Kenner, just outside New Orleans, many immigrant-run businesses had closed temporarily to avoid potential encounters with officers. Carmela Diaz, a US citizen born in El Salvador, has kept her restaurant, Taqueria La Conquistadora, closed for over a month but is now considering reopening. She remains apprehensive about a return of federal immigration officers, reflecting ongoing community anxiety tied to enforcement actions.

The operational shift underscores a recurring federal strategy to rapidly deploy officers to regions facing both local crime concerns and broader immigration policy objectives. While officials maintain that the efforts are lawfully focused on immigration violations, public reactions highlight the delicate balance between enforcing federal laws and protecting civil liberties. Local authorities in Louisiana had also requested National Guard assistance after recent violent incidents, including a deadly New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street, which killed 14 people. The Guard’s presence contrasts with immigration enforcement, offering more public reassurance compared to the highly visible federal immigration operation.

Observers note that the Louisiana deployment’s abrupt end signals a potential change in federal enforcement priorities, possibly influenced by ongoing criticism and the operational demands of Minneapolis. DHS documents suggest officers continue to be strategically repositioned as national immigration priorities evolve, especially in urban centers with diverse immigrant populations. Federal immigration remains central to national policy debates, with community leaders, politicians, and civil rights groups weighing the legal, social, and economic impacts of these large-scale operations.

Despite the operational uncertainty, many immigrant communities are cautiously resuming everyday life. Businesses that temporarily shuttered are reopening, and local leaders are working to rebuild trust with residents who felt threatened by aggressive enforcement tactics. Advocates argue that immigration policy must balance legal accountability with humanitarian considerations, ensuring that enforcement does not unfairly target citizens or disrupt community cohesion.

Federal officials maintain that the redeployment to Minneapolis is part of broader immigration enforcement, emphasizing that arrests are carried out according to established procedures. Critics continue to question the proportionality and transparency of these actions, citing video evidence and community accounts of fear and intimidation during the Louisiana sweep. Meanwhile, policymakers and civil rights organizations remain focused on ensuring that future operations respect both legal norms and public safety, while addressing systemic concerns surrounding immigration policy in the United States.

As federal officers continue their work in Minneapolis, the focus on federal immigration remains highly visible, with national debate intensifying around enforcement methods and community impact. The Louisiana deployment’s closure may provide lessons for both federal agencies and local leaders about managing enforcement in densely populated urban areas while minimizing social disruption. Federal immigration continues to spark controversy, demonstrating the challenges of balancing law enforcement, civil rights, and community trust.

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