Records reviewed by AP detail online monitoring, arrests in New Orleans immigration crackdown

Federal authorities in New Orleans are actively monitoring online criticism and protests against immigration raids as part of “Operation Catahoula Crunch,” according to law enforcement records obtained by The Associated Press. The surveillance includes tracking social media platforms and message boards around the clock, while compiling regular updates on public sentiment surrounding the arrests.

The intelligence gathering comes amid growing calls for transparency from local officials who say they’ve been deliberately kept uninformed about the operation’s details. Internal briefings circulated among law enforcement agencies note mixed public reaction, with some supporting the raids while others actively oppose them.

“Online opinions still remain mixed, with some supporting the operations while others are against them,” stated one briefing from early Sunday. Earlier documents mentioned “a combination of groups urging the public to record ICE and Border Patrol” and identified “additional locations where agents can find immigrants.”

Though the Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly characterized the operation as targeting “criminal illegal aliens,” the records reveal that less than one-third of the 38 people arrested in the first two days had documented criminal histories beyond traffic violations. This discrepancy has fueled criticism from local leaders who contend the operation is more about intimidation than public safety.

“It confirms what we already knew — this was not about public safety, it’s about stoking chaos and fear and terrorizing communities,” said state Sen. Royce Duplessis, a Democrat representing New Orleans. “It’s furthering a sick narrative of stereotypes that immigrants are violent.”

When contacted, DHS declined to answer questions about the intelligence activities and referred reporters to a previous news release highlighting “dozens of arrests.” The agency has not provided a comprehensive accounting of detainees or their criminal backgrounds, despite claiming publicly that they aim to make at least 5,000 arrests during the two-month operation.

The internal records, which explicitly warn that the information “should not be distributed to the media,” identify only nine individuals with criminal histories more serious than traffic violations among the initial 38 arrestees.

New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morrell expressed frustration over the lack of communication with city officials. “There’s literally no information being given to the city of New Orleans whatsoever,” Morrell said. “If the goal was for them to come here and augment existing law enforcement, to pursue violent criminals or people with extensive criminal histories, why wouldn’t you be more transparent about who you’ve arrested and why?”

Morrell and others have suggested the operation appears to be targeting individuals based on racial profiling, citing viral videos of encounters including one showing masked agents chasing a 23-year-old U.S. citizen returning from grocery shopping. Law enforcement officials have been closely monitoring such footage and public reactions, noting in one briefing that “for some supporters, the videos with sounds of children crying in the background as their parents are placed under arrest, is weighing heavy on their hearts.”

The documents also reveal extensive collaboration between state and federal agencies. Both the FBI and Customs and Border Protection have stationed personnel at the Louisiana State Analytical and Fusion Exchange, an intelligence center actively tracking discussions on Reddit and other platforms where residents share information about the raids.

The briefings highlight social media posts accusing agents of racial profiling and deviating from their stated mission of targeting only criminals. They also note critics mentioning immigrants’ contributions during past hurricane recovery efforts.

Louisiana State Police confirmed their involvement in monitoring online activity. “The Louisiana State Police remains vigilant in monitoring social media activity related to protests, activism and other forms of public response,” said Trooper Danny Berrincha, a state police spokesperson. “Through the LSP Fusion Center, we actively track developments and facilitate the sharing of information and communication among our partner agencies.”

The surveillance extends to activist groups distributing whistles, conducting training on filming federal agents, and operating hotlines for reporting arrests. Intelligence reports have documented demonstrations at the New Orleans City Council chambers and tracked discussions about immigration authorities’ presence near schools.

Community organizers remain undeterred. “They can monitor me all they want,” said Rachel Taber of Union Migrante, a New Orleans advocacy group sharing crowdsourced reports of immigration enforcement activities. “We are not doing anything illegal.”

Beth Davis, spokesperson for Indivisible NOLA, which has organized some of the monitored trainings, expressed dismay at authorities’ priorities: “That they feel threatened by a bunch of community organizers that have nothing other than phones and whistles blows my mind.”