New Orleans Mayor-Elect Faces Looming Border Patrol Crisis

Key Takeaways

• Helena Moreno, the mayor-elect of New Orleans, is facing a double-barreled crisis: a projected $222 million city budget deficit and the expected arrival of Border Patrol agents as part of a coast-to-coast enforcement campaign.
• Moreno, a progressive Democrat, has begun taking steps to enact her priorities, including nudging back against the White House agenda on immigration enforcement.
• She has set up an online storage bank for videos and documented incidents of ICE pickups and is working with Democratic mayors to develop a community resource guide for announced ICE/CBP enforcement operations.
• Moreno is concerned about the safety of residents, police, and federal agents, particularly given Louisiana’s law allowing concealed carry, and wants to focus on protecting people within her city.
• Observers note that Moreno’s approach aligns with her history of taking on obstacles and that her navigation of the crisis will be key to her success.

Introduction to New Orleans’ New Mayor-Elect
New Orleans’ mayor-elect, Helena Moreno, is a woman of strong faith, often praying to her favorite patron saint, St. Jude, for guidance and help in her endeavors. With over 40 days to go before she takes office, Moreno is already facing a multitude of challenges, including a projected $222 million city budget deficit and the expected arrival of Border Patrol agents as part of a coast-to-coast enforcement campaign. Despite these obstacles, Moreno is undaunted, drawing on her experience as a journalist, state legislator, and city council member to inform her approach to governance.

Moreno’s Background and Experience
Moreno was born in Mexico and moved to the United States with her family at the age of 8. She learned to read and write in English with the help of her American-born mother and went on to study journalism at Southern Methodist University. After working as an investigative reporter at a CNN affiliate in New Orleans, Moreno covered the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the long rebuilding effort that followed. This experience stirred her to action, and she decided to run for public office, taking on Rep. William Jefferson in 2008 and later winning a seat in the state legislature in 2010. Moreno’s time in the legislature was marked by her ability to work across the aisle and pass legislation supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Moreno’s Mayoral Campaign and Priorities
Moreno’s mayoral campaign was built on a wide fundraising advantage and broad grassroots support. She won outright in the October primary, becoming the city’s first Hispanic mayor. As mayor-elect, Moreno has already begun taking steps to enact her priorities, including setting up an online storage bank for videos and documented incidents of ICE pickups and working with Democratic mayors to develop a community resource guide for announced ICE/CBP enforcement operations. Moreno is also focused on protecting the city’s immigrant community, which makes up about 6.5% of the population. She has expressed concerns about the safety of residents, police, and federal agents, particularly given Louisiana’s law allowing concealed carry.

The Challenge of Immigration Enforcement
The expected arrival of Border Patrol agents in New Orleans has sparked anxiety in the city’s immigrant community. Moreno has spoken out against the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which she believes are overly broad and punitive. She has also expressed concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on the city’s economy and social fabric. Despite the challenges, Moreno is determined to protect the people of New Orleans and has vowed to do everything in her power to support the city’s immigrant community. She has connected with Democratic mayors whose cities have been affected by ICE crackdowns and is working to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing the issue.

Navigating the Crisis
As Moreno navigates the crisis, observers note that her approach will be key to her success. Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu advises her to "fight back" against the Trump administration’s policies, while also being respectful of the current mayor’s role. Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, who led the US Army’s response to Hurricane Katrina, cautions that Moreno’s strategy should be focused on attitude rather than policy. City Council member JP Morrell, who has worked with Moreno, believes that she will prioritize substance over performative actions, given the gravity of the crises she is facing. As Moreno prepares to take office, she will need to balance her commitment to protecting the city’s immigrant community with the need to work with state and federal officials to address the city’s budget deficit and other challenges.