UPDATE: In a bold move, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has ordered approximately 250 Border Patrol agents to deploy to New Orleans starting December 1, 2023, as part of a two-month immigration operation dubbed “Swamp Sweep.” The ambitious initiative aims for around 5,000 arrests, according to leaked government documents.
Officials confirm that Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, known for his controversial leadership in prior federal operations, will spearhead the mission. This operation marks a significant escalation in the effort to achieve President Donald Trump‘s grim target of 3,000 deportations per day, as pushed by senior aides including Stephen Miller.
The operation will extend beyond New Orleans into Jefferson, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany parishes, reaching as far north as Baton Rouge and into Mississippi. The Department of Homeland Security has designated a portion of the FBI’s New Orleans field office as the command center for this extensive operation, signaling a major federal presence in the region.
Details are emerging about the significant resources allocated for this crackdown. A naval base south of New Orleans will house vehicles, equipment, and a stockpile of tear gas and pepper-ball munitions. Additionally, the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans has been requested for use for up to 90 days.
Agents are set to arrive later this week to prepare resources ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Most notably, the operation may utilize the multimillion-dollar ICE detention facility located in Louisiana’s notorious Angola prison, previously referred to by Noem as “Camp 57.” This facility, which has a history of controversies, currently holds just a handful of inmates but is being positioned for increased capacity under the new directive.
In a statement, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized, “Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country,” but declined to disclose specific operational details or costs associated with the Angola facility.
This sweeping operation comes as Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a staunch Trump ally, supports these aggressive enforcement tactics in a state that exhibits a mixture of Republican and Democratic influences. The implications for residents, particularly immigrant communities, are profound as federal agents prepare for a significant presence.
The urgency of this operation is underscored by Bovino’s controversial past, including a federal judge’s criticism over misleading statements regarding protests in previous operations. His return to the forefront raises questions about the potential for escalation and community impact.
As the clock ticks down to the launch of “Swamp Sweep,” attention is focused on how this initiative will unfold and the broader repercussions for immigration enforcement in the region. Residents and immigrant advocates are bracing for what could become one of the most visible federal crackdowns in recent history.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops. The implications of this operation will resonate widely, impacting not just local communities but the national conversation on immigration policy.
