The Trump administration sent ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents to Louisiana’s largest city earlier this week to detain illegal immigrants and violent criminals who were released from police custody as part of “Operation Catahoula Crunch.” In response, Murrill sent a letter to the head of the New Orleans Police Department, warning Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick that some NOPD policies “appear” to conflict with state laws prohibiting sanctuary policies that extend certain protections to residents without legal status. The NOPD “must use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law,” Murrill wrote, and abandon policies “specifically designed and implemented to frustrate, hinder, and prevent cooperation” with ICE. “At this time, I recommend that you immediately direct NOPD officers and staff to fully cooperate with ICE and CPB,” the attorney general told Kirkpatrick. “Every law enforcement officer in this state has a duty to support all duly enacted federal and state laws for the benefit of the communities we serve.”

Murrill added a warning of possible penalties to follow if NOPD failed to heed the attorney general’s office: “Policies that fundamentally require officers and employees to refuse to cooperate with ICE, except in very limited circumstances, violate Louisiana law and could subject the offender to felony prosecution or malfeasance in office.”

New Orleans is the latest city to see federal sweeps targeting illegal immigrants. The Trump administration had previously authorized operations in Chicago, Los Angeles, Charlotte, North Carolina, and elsewhere.

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