Key Takeaways
• Governor Jeff Landry ordered Louisiana law enforcement to join ICE under the 287(g) program starting May 16, 2025.
• ACLU Louisiana warns the 287(g) program leads to racial profiling and civil rights violations, citing national and local data.
• Louisiana hosts nine immigration detention centers and faces scrutiny for inadequate conditions and denial of language access.
Governor Jeff Landry’s push for tougher immigration enforcement has set off a strong debate across Louisiana. At the center of this debate is a new executive order called “Operation Geaux.” This order requires state law enforcement to help with federal immigration efforts. The ACLU Louisiana stands opposed to Governor Jeff Landry’s approach, warning that it could lead to racial profiling and violations of civil rights, especially through the controversial 287(g) program. This program allows federal immigration authorities to pass some of their responsibilities on to local police.
Let’s explore what “Operation Geaux” means for Louisiana, why it’s drawing criticism, and what experts and community advocates are saying about these sweeping changes.
Governor Jeff Landry’s Executive Order and the 287(g) Program
On May 16, 2025, Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order that could reshape the role of state police and other law enforcement officers in Louisiana. This order asks state and local agencies to join with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by entering into agreements under the 287(g) program.
But what does this program actually do? The 287(g) program, named for a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act, lets local law enforcement agencies help ICE carry out certain immigration duties. Under the program, the federal government shares some of its immigration powers with state or local police, who then work under ICE’s watch to check immigration status, process immigration paperwork, and sometimes even start removal procedures against people they believe are in the country without documentation.
As of now, several Louisiana law enforcement departments have already signed up for the 287(g) program. These include the Louisiana State Police, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Governor Jeff Landry’s order tells the rest of the state’s law enforcement groups to also “explore, and where appropriate, enter into” these partnerships. In addition, he “strongly encourages” all local agencies to follow suit, making it clear he wants widespread participation.
Governor Jeff Landry has defended his order by linking it to public safety. In his words, “If you’re here illegally and you engage in criminal activity, you are going to be deported or sent to jail.” He positions this move as part of a larger crackdown on illegal immigration.
ACLU Louisiana’s Warnings of Racial Profiling
The ACLU Louisiana does not agree with Governor Jeff Landry’s view. Its leaders have raised the alarm, saying the 287(g) program has a history of problems rooted in racial profiling and violations of civil rights.
According to the ACLU, most of the police departments that have joined the 287(g) program nationwide have a history of documented abuses. For example, a 2022 ACLU report found that 59 percent of sheriffs in the 287(g) program had a record of making statements or decisions that sounded anti-immigrant. In addition, nearly two-thirds of these sheriffs had histories of racial profiling or other violations against people’s civil rights. The ACLU described these reports as proof that “xenophobia is at the very heart of the program,” pointing out that the program’s use grew five times larger during the Trump administration.
Racial profiling means treating people differently just because of the way they look, speak, or where they come from, not because of anything they did wrong. According to VisaVerge.com, the ACLU has published research showing that racial profiling has already been a problem in many Louisiana towns. For instance, their 2008 study, “Unequal Under the Law,” found signs that law enforcement didn’t treat people of color the same as others. Stories included unequal stops, searches, and arrests.
Given these findings, ACLU Louisiana believes that adding more state and local agencies to the 287(g) program would only make these problems worse. Their main fear is that police could start targeting people because of their race or language, leading to unfair treatment for both immigrants and people born in Louisiana.
The Situation in Louisiana: A Growing Role in Immigration Detention
To understand the latest changes, it helps to look at Louisiana’s wider role in the national immigration system. Louisiana has become a major center for immigration detention. The New Orleans ICE Field Office (called NOLA ICE) oversees nine immigration detention centers throughout the state. Reports from the ACLU Louisiana show troubling issues in these jails under federal control.
The ACLU Louisiana’s documents describe many abuses, including:
- People held in these jails often face “denial of language access,” which means they can’t understand what’s happening in their case or talk to guards and officials in their own language.
- Care for basic human needs, like food, water, and medical help, has often been inadequate.
- Some treatment in these detention centers meets the international definitions of torture, or what is called “cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.”
In plain words, these centers have been places where people’s basic rights were sometimes not respected. The ACLU and other watchdog groups argue that the problems are not random but part of a larger, ongoing pattern. In particular, they worry that if police are given more power to detain people under the 287(g) program, more immigrants—and possibly even U.S. citizens mistaken for undocumented immigrants—will be sent to these jails and face harsh conditions.
Controversy Over Governor Jeff Landry’s Broader Approach to Law Enforcement
Governor Jeff Landry’s immigration order is not the first policy to draw criticism from civil rights groups. The ACLU Louisiana has repeatedly spoken out against what they see as harmful ideas from the governor.
One recent example is House Bill 173, signed by Governor Jeff Landry, which makes it a crime to come within twenty-five feet of an officer doing his or her job, if told to stay back. Alanah Odoms, who leads ACLU Louisiana, said the new law “fundamentally seeks to curtail Louisianians’ ability to hold police accountable for violence and misconduct.” She believes it will make it harder for people to film, question, or otherwise make sure officers do their jobs legally and respectfully.
This pattern worries the ACLU Louisiana and other advocates. They argue that instead of making communities safer, these laws and orders might give police too much power and leave fewer ways for the public to challenge or correct abuses.
How These Policies Could Affect Different People
Why does this issue matter to ordinary people? The answer depends on who you are and how you interact with law enforcement.
For Immigrants
- Immigrants, many of whom already worry about being stopped and questioned, might feel targeted more than ever under this new order.
- More police power under the 287(g) program could lead to more stops, arrests, and possible deportations—even for people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years.
- The lack of clear protections against racial profiling means that immigrants who come from, or even just look like they come from, certain countries could be treated more harshly.
For Law Enforcement
- Local officers could find themselves doing jobs they were not originally trained for, such as checking immigration status or starting deportation cases.
- Critics worry that this shift could distract police from focusing on violent crime or emergencies in local neighborhoods.
- Some officers might be uncomfortable or unsure about how to handle immigration duties, leading to mistakes or abuses.
For the Broader Community
- In towns where police and immigrants once had trust, that trust may now erode. People could be less willing to call the police when they are victims or witnesses of crime, out of fear it might lead to immigration checks.
- The overall sense of safety in communities could change, not just for immigrants, but for everyone.
The Debate: Public Safety or Civil Rights?
Supporters of Governor Jeff Landry’s plan, including some law enforcement leaders and politicians, say the executive order and the 287(g) program will make Louisiana safer by helping officers remove people who are both in the United States 🇺🇸 without proper documents and involved in crimes.
On the other hand, opponents, led by ACLU Louisiana, say that such programs have little effect on reducing serious crime and instead create an atmosphere of fear and division. They point to the documented history of civil rights abuses and the repeated complaints about racial profiling and mistreatment.
The 287(g) program has faced lawsuits and public criticism in many other parts of the country. It’s not just immigration advocacy groups who have raised concerns, but also many legal experts, church leaders, and even some law enforcement leaders worried about the program’s impact on their communities.
Looking at the Numbers
Statistics from the ACLU show that nearly two-thirds of the 287(g) program’s local partners have documented cases of racial profiling or civil rights violations. In plain language, this means that most places using the 287(g) program have run into some sort of trouble related to unfair treatment or targeting individuals based on race.
The same ACLU report found that 59 percent of sheriffs in the program had records of making statements or policies that appeared to be anti-immigrant. With the program’s size having grown five times bigger under President Trump, these numbers suggest that what’s happening in Louisiana is part of a larger national story, not just a local problem.
Legal and Policy Context
Immigration enforcement is mainly a federal job. But because Congress passed laws allowing federal agencies to work closely with local police, state and local governments can now play an active part. The 287(g) program is one major way this happens.
There are different types of 287(g) agreements. Some let officers work inside jails, checking immigration status as people are booked in. Others, called “task force” models, allow officers to act more broadly in the community. The most serious complaints about racial profiling and civil rights abuses often come from places using this second model—a point the ACLU Louisiana highlights in its criticism.
If you want to learn more about the 287(g) program or current agreements in place, you can visit the official ICE page on the 287(g) program.
Future Steps and Public Response
For now, Governor Jeff Landry’s executive order will move forward as planned, unless challenged in the courts or blocked by new state or federal laws. ACLU Louisiana and other groups dedicated to civil rights are likely to keep pushing for reviews, legal challenges, and policy changes. They say the consequences for individuals and communities are too serious to ignore.
People in Louisiana who are worried about how these changes may affect them have a few options. They can reach out to local advocacy groups for guidance, stay informed about their rights, and work together to document any problems or abuse. At the same time, police departments and local governments must weigh public safety against the risk of profiling and loss of community trust.
Summary: What Is at Stake?
The debate over Governor Jeff Landry’s “Operation Geaux” and the 287(g) program shines a light on big questions facing Louisiana and the United States 🇺🇸 as a whole. On one side, some leaders want stronger enforcement of immigration laws, claiming it will keep communities safe. On the other side, groups like ACLU Louisiana warn that these efforts could easily become unfair, dividing communities and harming families.
At the heart of the matter are the lives of immigrants, the duties of local police, and the basic promises of equal treatment and fairness under the law.
Louisiana may become a model for what happens when state and local police get deeply involved in federal immigration enforcement. The outcome in the months ahead will shape not only immigration policy but also the everyday sense of security and justice for thousands of families across the state.
For readers who want to stay updated on this developing story, following trusted sources like ACLU Louisiana and keeping an eye on statewide news is a wise choice. It’s also important to know your rights and get informed about the current rules and agreements under the 287(g) program.
No matter where you stand on these issues, the choices made today will shape Louisiana’s identity and values as it faces one of the biggest debates over immigration and civil rights in its history.
Learn Today
Executive Order → A directive issued by a governor or president that manages operations of state or federal government agencies.
287(g) Program → A partnership letting local law enforcement assist ICE with immigration enforcement, as authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Racial Profiling → Law enforcement treating individuals differently based on appearance, language, or assumed origin, not on criminal behavior.
Immigration Detention → Holding people suspected of being in the country illegally in facilities while their cases are processed.
Civil Rights → Legal protections guaranteeing freedom from discrimination and ensuring equal treatment under the law for all people.
This Article in a Nutshell
Governor Jeff Landry’s “Operation Geaux” demands that Louisiana state and local police enforce federal immigration laws via the 287(g) program. The ACLU Louisiana counters this move, warning of civil rights abuses, racial profiling, and harsh detention conditions, igniting a major debate over safety, fairness, and community trust statewide.
— By VisaVerge.com
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