Daijiworld Media Network – New Orleans
New Orleans, Dec, 24: The Trump administration has approved the deployment of around 350 Louisiana National Guard troops to New Orleans, escalating federal involvement in the city amid an intensified immigration enforcement drive. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the move, which comes as New Orleans remains a focal point of the administration’s crackdown on immigration and violent crime in Democratic-led cities.
According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the National Guard personnel will assist federal law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, in enforcing federal laws and addressing what officials describe as high levels of violent crime in New Orleans and other urban areas of Louisiana.
The deployment follows a request made in September by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, who had sought the deployment of up to 1,000 National Guard troops, citing persistent public safety concerns across the state.
Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security announced a targeted immigration enforcement initiative in the city named ‘Operation Catahoula Crunch’, as part of President Donald Trump’s broader push to focus on sanctuary cities in Republican-governed states. New Orleans has long followed sanctuary-city policies that limit cooperation with federal civil immigration authorities.
President Trump had indicated in early September that he was considering sending the National Guard to New Orleans, referencing Governor Landry’s request. Trump said the governor wanted federal assistance to “straighten out” parts of the city that he claimed had become increasingly unsafe.
However, the move may face legal hurdles. Just hours before Tuesday’s announcement, the US Supreme Court declined to allow the Trump administration to begin deploying National Guard troops in Chicago, dealing a setback to the president’s efforts to use military forces in liberal cities nationwide.
So far, the Trump administration has ordered similar deployments or operations in cities including Los Angeles, Washington, Memphis in Tennessee, and Portland in Oregon. The administration has repeatedly warned of tougher action against protests and immigration violations in New Orleans, with Governor Landry earlier stating that he wanted the Guard deployed by Christmas.
Under US law, active-duty armed forces such as the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are generally barred from carrying out domestic law enforcement duties. However, these restrictions do not apply to state-controlled National Guard units.
Meanwhile, New Orleans mayor-elect Helena Moreno, who is of Mexican origin, has expressed concern over the administration’s intentions. She has urged residents to be aware of their legal rights and protections amid the heightened enforcement measures.