NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The mayor-elect of New Orleans has voiced her concerns about a federal immigration crackdown launched this week that is causing significant fear and backlash among residents. Footage showing two masked federal agents pursuing a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, Jacelynn Guzman, has stirred public outrage, particularly in a city known for its diverse Hispanic community.
Guzman was confronted while returning home from grocery shopping, prompting her to flee in fear as agents trailed her down the sidewalk. The encounter raises questions about the conduct of federal agents during an operation targeting thousands of individuals across Southeast Louisiana.
As reported, over several hundred agents led by Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino have converged on the region in search of 5,000 individuals as part of an immigration enforcement operation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has noted numerous arrests but provided minimal details, leaving many in the Hispanic community feeling vulnerable and unjustly targeted.
Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, alongside city council members and civil rights advocates, criticized the operation, claiming it is harming local businesses and instilling fear among residents. Moreno called for regular briefings from federal agencies to provide transparency into enforcement actions and ensure that they are appropriately aimed at dangerous criminals.
The incident involving Guzman is just one example of the heightened tensions resulting from the operation, with her stepfather recounting the panic felt by their family during the chase. Although DHS stated that the agents identified their target and left once it became clear Guzman was not the individual they were looking for, family members assert the agents acted recklessly based solely on Guzman's appearance.
Just because you look brown, you look Hispanic, you’re going to get stopped, said Guzman’s stepfather, emphasizing the community's fears and distrust towards federal agents. The growing concern among residents showcases the broader implications of the crackdown and its direct impact on the local Hispanic community.
