Federal immigration authorities have arrested dozens of criminal immigrants in New Orleans, Louisiana, this week, including individuals charged with rape, human smuggling, domestic abuse, and child endangerment. The operations, part of a nationwide initiative targeting sanctuary cities, unfolded as the city—historically a haven for undocumented immigrants—faces federal pressure to comply with immigration enforcement.
New Orleans, a predominantly Democratic jurisdiction, has long been criticized by DHS for its sanctuary policies, despite the state government of Louisiana supporting the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
“DHS law enforcement continues to arrest rapists, thieves, human smugglers, domestic abusers, and child endangerers who sought sanctuary in New Orleans. Well, those days are over,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “President Trump and Secretary Noem have made it abundantly clear: criminal illegal aliens are NOT welcome in the U.S., even if liberal activists think they are.”
Among those detained were Jorge Vierra-Serrano, a Cuban national convicted of rape and aggravated battery; Hander Bladimar Monrroy-Santiago from Guatemala, arrested for human smuggling; and Anthony Jose Sarria-Gutierrez from Nicaragua, identified as an 18th Street Gang member. Additional arrests included Carlos Arturo Padilla-Meza, Willian Orlando Zuniga-Euceda, Andres Vladimir Prieto-Rencoret, and Ingres Estel Hernandez-Murillo, all with histories of violent crimes such as domestic abuse, theft, and resisting arrest.
DHS officials emphasized that the arrests are part of a broader effort to dismantle sanctuary protections and remove dangerous criminal aliens from American communities. McLaughlin concluded: “We will continue going after the worst of the worst across this nation until EVERY criminal illegal alien is arrested.”
