(NEW ORLEANS) The Department of Homeland Security is sending about 250 federal border agents to New Orleans for a large‑scale immigration enforcement operation known as “Swamp Sweep,” an effort that planning documents say could lead to the arrest of roughly 5,000 people across southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi over a two‑month period.
Overview and scope
Swamp Sweep is described in internal DHS materials as a wide‑ranging enforcement operation that will extend far beyond New Orleans’ tourist core. Border Patrol teams will operate across working‑class neighborhoods, suburban areas and commercial corridors throughout southeast Louisiana, reaching from New Orleans into Jefferson, St. Bernard and St. Tammany parishes, north toward Baton Rouge, and into parts of southeastern Mississippi.
Key facts:
– Agents deployed: ~250 federal border agents initially.
– Potential arrests: Approximately 5,000 people.
– Planned duration: Up to 60 days.
Timeline (arrival, staging, operation)
- November 21, 2025 — Agents begin arriving in New Orleans to quietly stage vehicles, gear and support staff.
- Weekend of November 21–23, 2025 — DHS requested use of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans for up to 90 days to support aerial surveillance, detention transport and rapid deployment.
- Late November 2025 — Larger contingents arrive to prepare for the full operation.
- December 1, 2025 — Full operation slated to begin and may continue up to 60 days.
Note: Officials say exact locations and timing may change based on weather, intelligence and local response.
Staging, logistics and equipment
Homeland Security is building a network of staging sites in and around New Orleans to manage the operation.
- Command post: A portion of the FBI’s New Orleans field office is designated for coordination of arrest teams, communications and logistics.
- Warehouse: A naval base about five miles south of the city will store vehicles, protective gear and thousands of pounds of so‑called “less lethal” munitions, including tear gas and pepper balls.
- Military facility support: Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans requested for up to 90 days starting the weekend of November 21–23 to assist with aerial surveillance and transport.
- The military facilities will host and supply federal teams but will not conduct immigration enforcement themselves.
DHS statement
“For the safety and security of law enforcement, we’re not going to telegraph potential operations.” — Tricia McLaughlin, DHS spokesperson
DHS has declined to share further operational details publicly. Officials emphasized that they will not preannounce specifics to avoid compromising safety or effectiveness.
Who is being reassigned
The operation calls for agents normally posted to the southwest border to be temporarily reassigned to the Gulf Coast, reflecting an administration decision to expand enforcement well beyond traditional crossing points. The plan relies heavily on U.S. Customs and Border Protection teams, including Border Patrol tactical units typically seen along the southwest border.
Political context and potential local conflicts
- The operation unfolds under Republican Governor Jeff Landry, an ally of President Trump, who has aligned state policy with a tougher federal stance on immigration.
- New Orleans city leaders have historically limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities, citing fears in immigrant communities and reliance on migrant labor in construction, hospitality and service sectors.
- That split sets up potential clashes over:
- Access to city streets and local jails
- Operations near sensitive sites (schools, churches, hospitals)
- How public and visible raids will be
In past federal sweeps, New Orleans officials argued visible raids spread fear, disrupt schooling and discourage crime victims from reporting to police.
Community preparations and anticipated impacts
Community groups and service providers are already mobilizing for potential consequences.
- Legal aid hotlines in New Orleans and Baton Rouge are preparing for surges in calls from families separated during arrests.
- Churches and advocacy groups are organizing information sessions in multiple languages about rights during encounters with federal officers.
- Staff report that advance notice of large sweeps often causes people to:
- Stop driving
- Avoid medical appointments
- Stay away from public places
Analysis by VisaVerge.com of similar operations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte, North Carolina found:
– Sharp drops in school attendance in heavily immigrant neighborhoods.
– Increases in emergency legal help requests.
Advocates warn that a sweep aiming for 5,000 arrests could produce comparable effects across a broad region of the Gulf Coast.
Legal and civil‑liberties concerns
- Federal officials say these efforts target people with final deportation orders or prior immigration violations and are necessary to carry out immigration court orders.
- Civil‑rights lawyers counter that large sweeps often include workers with no criminal record and people with pending asylum or family petitions.
- The deployment of “less lethal” crowd‑control gear has raised concerns that officials are preparing for protests or large‑scale resistance, not only quiet home or workplace arrests.
Local law-enforcement coordination
While immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, cooperation with city police and parish sheriffs can strongly influence:
– How many people are taken into custody
– How public or visible the raids become
Local officials in New Orleans face a delicate decision about whether to provide information or jail access once the operation begins.
Timing and social consequences
Because the operation builds up around Thanksgiving and is set to start December 1, many families worry about holiday impacts—when travel, family gatherings and remittances are common.
- Social workers say holiday breaks can become especially painful if a parent is taken into custody just before or during the season.
- The timing may compound community disruption and strain social services.
Resources and where to get information
The Department of Homeland Security points people with questions about immigration enforcement and removal processes to the public information on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website, though it rarely addresses specific field operations in advance.
Legal groups in New Orleans note that general DHS materials do not typically reassure residents who learn that hundreds of extra agents and pallets of tear gas are headed to their city.
Key takeaways
- Swamp Sweep is a large, multiweek federal immigration enforcement operation planned for southeast Louisiana and parts of Mississippi, with an initial deployment of about 250 agents and a target of 5,000 arrests.
- Staging will use local federal and military facilities for coordination and logistics, including storage of less lethal munitions.
- The operation raises significant community, legal and political concerns—particularly because it coincides with major holiday periods and could disrupt schools, healthcare and everyday life for immigrant communities.
- Community organizations, legal aid groups and local officials are preparing for substantial impacts and are warning residents about potential disruptions and rights during encounters with federal officers.
This Article in a Nutshell
DHS plans “Swamp Sweep,” deploying about 250 Border Patrol agents to New Orleans and surrounding parishes starting December 1, 2025, for up to 60 days. The operation could result in roughly 5,000 arrests across southeast Louisiana and parts of Mississippi, with staging at an FBI field office and a nearby naval base storing less-lethal munitions. Officials cite enforcement of deportation orders, while community groups warn of disruptions to schools, healthcare and economic activity, especially over the holidays.
