In brief
Larry Temah, a 46-year-old recruit for the New Orleans Police Department, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to an alleged violation of immigration laws. The incident has sparked controversy as the NOPD claims to have confirmed his employment eligibility using a DHS system prior to his arrest. Temah faces deportation following a previous order of removal issued by an immigration judge. NOPD officials maintain that they did not knowingly violate immigration laws and assert the recruit had appropriate documentation before joining the force.
NEW ORLEANS (PulseWire) — The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is defending its actions after one of its recruits, Larry Temah, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a controversial turn of events.
Temah, a 46-year-old national from Cameroon, was arrested last month and accused of violating federal immigration laws. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security revealed that Temah had an order of removal pending since December. He remains in custody awaiting deportation.
At the time of his arrest, Temah was training in the NOPD police academy, scheduled to graduate in a few months. He first entered the U.S. on a visitor visa in 2015 and subsequently obtained conditional residency after marrying a U.S. citizen. However, his application for permanent residency was rejected last year due to alleged fraud, according to DHS.
“Criminal illegal aliens have no place in our communities — especially on our police forces,” stated DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
In contrast, NOPD spokesperson Reese Harper insisted that the department had verified Temah's employment eligibility before his arrest and had not received notice from ICE about any impending detention until the day of his arrest. Harper emphasized, “New Orleans is not a sanctuary city,” refuting claims that the NOPD knowingly violated immigration laws.
Additionally, Chief Anne Kirkpatrick explained that no issues regarding Temah’s legal status emerged during the recruitment process, as he had lived in the U.S. for over ten years and had a valid driver’s license and Social Security card.
This incident adds to the ongoing conflict between local and federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement in New Orleans. Local leaders maintain that the enforcement of immigration laws is a civil matter, outside the jurisdiction of local police.
As the situation develops, questions remain about the implications for the NOPD's hiring processes and the ongoing scrutiny from federal immigration enforcement agencies.
