Key Takeaways
- New Orleans–area elected officials and immigration advocates have issued a list of five demands to the Department of Homeland Security regarding federal immigration operations in the region.
- The demands include greater transparency from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol, guaranteed due-process protections for detainees, and safeguards against racial profiling and discriminatory enforcement.
- The group is also calling for federal agents to clearly identify themselves as law enforcement and to stop wearing face coverings during operations.
- The demands have been sent to the Border Patrol’s top official, Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino.
- Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has issued a directive calling on the New Orleans Police Department to cooperate with federal agents, but Mayor-elect Helena Moreno has pushed back, citing the department’s long-standing policy of not handling civil immigration matters.
Introduction to the Demands
New Orleans–area elected officials and immigration advocates, led by Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, have gathered to issue a list of demands to the Department of Homeland Security as federal immigration operations continue across the region. The group is seeking greater transparency from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol, including regular briefings on enforcement activities. This includes data on stops, detentions, warrants, and outcomes, as well as information on civil-rights compliance and oversight mechanisms. By seeking this information, the group hopes to ensure that federal immigration operations are being carried out in a fair and transparent manner.
Guaranteed Due-Process Protections
The coalition has also called for guaranteed due-process protections for detainees. According to Moreno, every person, regardless of immigration status or background, has constitutional protections, and the group expects prompt access to legal representation. This demand is particularly important, as it ensures that detainees are treated fairly and have access to the resources they need to navigate the immigration system. By guaranteeing due-process protections, the group hopes to prevent instances of unfair treatment and ensure that detainees’ rights are respected.
Identification of Federal Agents
A third demand urges federal agents to clearly identify themselves as law enforcement and to stop wearing face coverings during operations. Former New Orleans mayor and current CEO of the National Urban League, Marc Morial, criticized the use of masks during arrests, comparing them to the tactics of the Ku Klux Klan. Morial noted that there is zero precedent for sworn law-enforcement officers to mask themselves and carry out public enforcement actions. By requiring federal agents to identify themselves and stop wearing face coverings, the group hopes to increase transparency and accountability during immigration operations.
Safeguards Against Racial Profiling
The group has also called for safeguards against racial profiling and discriminatory enforcement. City Council President J.P. Morrell referenced a recent video shared by WWL, which showed federal agents chasing a woman, Jacelynn Guzman, until she reached her front yard in Marrero. Morrell noted that the woman was clearly not a criminal or an illegal immigrant, but rather a mom who had been at the grocery store. This incident highlights the need for safeguards against racial profiling and discriminatory enforcement, as it is clear that Guzman was targeted unfairly. By implementing these safeguards, the group hopes to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Medical Care and Interpretation Services
Finally, leaders have demanded that all detainees receive medical care, interpretation services, and prompt notification of family members. This demand is particularly important, as it ensures that detainees are treated humanely and have access to the resources they need to navigate the immigration system. By providing medical care, interpretation services, and prompt notification of family members, the group hopes to prevent instances of mistreatment and ensure that detainees’ needs are met.
Response from Louisiana Attorney General
During the press conference, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued her own directive, calling on the New Orleans Police Department and Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick to cooperate with federal agents. However, Mayor-elect Helena Moreno pushed back, noting that the NOPD has long held that its officers should not handle civil immigration matters. According to Moreno, Chief Kirkpatrick has constantly made the point that immigration matters are civil matters and not under the jurisdiction of the New Orleans Police Department. This highlights the ongoing tension between local and federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement, and the need for clear policies and guidelines to ensure that immigrants’ rights are respected.