Border Patrol Under Fire After Detaining U.S. Citizen in New Orleans Parking Lot
NEW ORLEANS — A U.S. citizen was briefly detained by Border Patrol agents on Dec. 3 in the parking lot of a Lowe’s in New Orleans during the federal government’s new immigration enforcement initiative, Operation Catahoula Crunch, according to video evidence and witness accounts shared with multiple news outlets.
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The incident occurred as hundreds of federal agents began sweeping commercial areas, parking lots, and transit locations across the city. The man — whose name has not been publicly released — was one of at least three U.S. citizens reportedly stopped and held for verification on the first day of the operation.
In the footage reviewed by reporters, an agent requests the man’s ID. After examining the license, the agent asks where he was born.
The man replies: “I’m a U.S. citizen. I’m not answering any more questions.”
Moments later, the agent turns to a colleague and says:
“Can you put handcuffs on him please, since he won’t answer our questions?”
The man was restrained, questioned further, and released after confirming his citizenship. No charges were filed.
Civil-rights and immigrant-rights groups say the episode illustrates how large-scale sweeps can sweep up people who are not suspected of crimes or immigration violations — including U.S. citizens attempting to go about their daily routines.
Advocates also noted that individuals are not legally required to answer questions beyond confirming their identity, and that remaining silent is not grounds for detention.
The Department of Homeland Security says Catahoula Crunch is focused on apprehending immigrants with serious criminal records and people who were previously ordered removed. DHS has highlighted arrests made during the operation — including individuals wanted for violent offenses — but did not directly address reports of citizens being detained.
Local organizations say the sweeps have generated fear among residents, particularly in Hispanic neighborhoods and among workers who rely on public spaces for day labor. Several community groups report people staying home from work, avoiding stores, and altering daily routines as the sweep continues.
Legal observers warn that incidents involving U.S. citizens raise questions about due-process protections during field interrogations — particularly when stops occur in routine public settings like parking lots and bus stops.
Civil-rights groups say they are collecting additional witness statements and reviewing whether to pursue complaints on behalf of those detained.
Federal officials have not announced how long the operation will continue, though DHS has signaled that more arrests and sweeps are expected in the coming days.