The Trump administration carried out a new deployment of federal agents in another sanctuary city governed by Democrats, New Orleans. In addition, Louisiana's Republican governor, Jeff Landry, celebrated the measure, vowed to intensify raids, and asked Trump to send the National Guard to his state. In response, the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) noted that New Orleans is famous for being a vibrant and diverse city with a significant tourism industry largely driven by service workers and immigrants. “The ongoing kidnappings have generated widespread fear, keeping children out of classrooms, breadwinners away from their jobs, disrupting supply chains, and forcing immigrant-owned businesses to close,” it charged. “Once again, we see the Trump administration paralyzing cities and states, creating chaos and economic instability, to advance an agenda of indiscriminate and violent mass deportation. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans relied on thousands of immigrant workers to support reconstruction and restoration efforts,” it continued. The organization estimated that while immigrants represent only the They make up 9% of New Orleans' population and 12% of its workforce, which is why he insists that the Trump and Landry administrations are joining forces to punish these hardworking, long-established families with mass kidnappings, arrests, detentions, deportations, and rampant terrorism, even though Louisiana residents consider immigration one of their lowest priorities, according to a 2024 Louisiana State University poll. Federal authorities say the target is undocumented immigrants with alleged criminal records released by local policies; however, residents and organizations have denounced that the raids could also affect people without criminal records, fueling fear.The uncertainty and accusations of “racial profiling.”

In addition to the operation, the government has announced the upcoming deployment of National Guard troops to the city: a move many interpret as a sign of militarization and intimidation amid a process that could extend until the end of the year.

Nicole Melaku, executive director of the NPNA, stated: “With increasingly violent tactics, it is clear that these raids do not benefit or serve the safety and stability of the population. Their objective is to sow fear and chaos, paralyze our communities and local businesses during a cost-of-living crisis, and exert overwhelming and unchecked executive power over entire states and cities. As the raids continue in New Orleans and intensify in the Midwest, we encourage individuals and families, regardless of immigration status, to know their rights when interacting with federal agents and to seek legal counsel.”

“To our members of Congress: Six major American cities have been violently targeted by a sitting president using federal and military forces. We need congressional leadership to enact now oversight of executive power, ensure transparency, prevent violent abuses of power, and protect our communities,” he concluded.