Get ready, New Orleans—federal boots are about to hit the ground with a mission that’s stirring both cheers and jeers.
According to Breitbart, the Department of Homeland Security is gearing up to send 250 law enforcement officers to the Crescent City as part of President Donald Trump’s nationwide immigration enforcement effort, dubbed “Operation Swamp Sweep,” under the command of Customs and Border Protection chief Gregory Bovino.
This isn’t Bovino’s first rodeo; he’s already spearheaded similar citywide operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Charlotte, showing a pattern of tackling urban hubs with federal muscle.
Back in September, Bovino led “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago, a campaign that set the tone for what’s coming to Louisiana’s largest city.
Now, with plans to launch next month, “Operation Swamp Sweep” marks a southward shift in the Trump administration’s strategy to tighten the screws on unauthorized migration.
Unlike the resistance faced in previous cities, where local officials often dragged their feet or outright refused to help, New Orleans seems to be rolling out a cautious welcome mat.
The New Orleans Police Department, while not directly involved in removals, has signaled its intent to cooperate with federal agents during the operation.
Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick laid it out plain and simple: “We will not be participating in the removal, but we will always be there. They’re coming, so I am going to be a collaborator.”
She added, “But I also want to emphasize something to our community: To be in our country undocumented is illegal. To be illegal is not criminal.” (Anne Kirkpatrick, New Orleans Police Superintendent)
While the city braces for the operation, DHS isn’t spilling any beans just yet, keeping their cards close to the chest.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country. We do not discuss future or potential operations.” (Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary)
Well, that’s a polite way of saying “mind your business,” but it doesn’t exactly calm the nerves of those wondering what 250 federal officers will look like on their streets.
Meanwhile, groups opposing the operation are already mobilizing, drawing inspiration from the rough-and-tumble resistance seen in Chicago. These anti-American and pro-migrant activists aren’t likely to sit idly by as federal agents move in, and their playbook from past clashes suggests things could get heated.
It’s a classic clash of values—law enforcement versus those who see these actions as heavy-handed overreach—but let’s hope dialogue prevails over disruption.