U.S. Border Patrol agents ascended ladders toward two laborers standing on a residential rooftop in Kenner, a suburb of New Orleans, in a dramatic opening scene of President Trump’s latest immigration enforcement operation. The men, cornered at the edge of the roof with no escape, eventually surrendered to agents as snipers positioned themselves below and concerned neighbors watched in disbelief.
The operation, dubbed ‘Catahoula Crunch’ by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), represents the fourth major city targeted in what the administration has promised would be the largest mass deportation initiative in American history. According to DHS statements, the operation focuses on apprehending individuals who have been arrested or convicted of crimes, though leaked figures from previous operations suggest many detainees had no criminal history.
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, patrolling New Orleans with armed, masked agents, defended the aggressive tactics: ‘Whether we do it on foot or in vehicles, in the air or in the water, this is what we do. We’re all about making America safe.’ The operation aims to make approximately 5,000 arrests in the city, though New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell questioned this target, noting it vastly exceeds the number of potentially qualifying individuals.
The Latino community in Kenner has responded with widespread fear and lockdown conditions. At Abigail’s Mexican restaurant, one of the few remaining open establishments, the proprietors now sleep on premises fearing nighttime raids. Abigail, who arrived from Mexico City two decades ago at age 10, described the atmosphere: ‘A lot of people feel afraid to go out. They feel so sad about this situation.’ Her family’s business caters to Kenner’s diverse community, which includes an estimated 13% Hispanic population in the greater New Orleans area—many of whom arrived to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.
The political divide over the operation reflects broader national tensions. While Louisiana’s Republican governor supports the measures, local leaders oppose them. The operation has exposed shifting views even within Trump’s base, with some supporters expressing mixed feelings about targeting non-criminal immigrants. Polling indicates declining approval of the president’s handling of immigration and reduced support among Republicans for decreasing overall immigration rates.
As the operation continues, rounded-up migrants face potential detention at the Louisiana State Penitentiary—a maximum security facility historically known as ‘Angola’ for its location on a former slave plantation—adding another layer of historical resonance to America’s ongoing immigration debate.