Families in Fear Amid Immigration Crackdown in Kenner, Louisiana

Sat Dec 13 2025 20:50:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An immigration operation in Kenner has left families shattered and community members on edge as federal agents target undocumented residents, leading to numerous arrests and emergencies.

This month, an immigration crackdown in Kenner has resulted in over 250 arrests, notably impacting families and children. Many parents, including Vilma Cruz and Jose Reyes, have been detained, forcing their children to assume significant responsibilities. Community leaders express concerns about the effects of the crackdown on the local economy and family units, signaling a rise in fear among immigrant families as they make emergency custody plans.

KENNER, La. — Vilma Cruz, a mother of two, was detained by federal agents upon arriving at her newly leased home in Louisiana. The 38-year-old Honduran house painter is among many caught up in an immigration crackdown primarily targeting Kenner, a Hispanic enclave near New Orleans. With parents facing deportation, families are scrambling to establish emergency custody plans for their children.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), more than 250 arrests have occurred across southeast Louisiana this month, amidst similar operations in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. Parents, often the breadwinners and caregivers, have been taken, leaving teenagers to shoulder adult responsibilities.

“I’m willing to take them on if I have to. And I’m just praying that I get my mom back,” said Jonathan Escalante, Cruz’s 18-year-old son, who now must care for his 9-year-old sister.

Emergency Plans Amid Crackdown

The operation, termed “Catahoula Crunch,” aims to arrest up to 5,000 individuals, yet many arrested have no criminal histories. The situation has prompted state officials, including Louisiana’s Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, to speak out against the negative economic impact and labor shortages fueled by the fear of deportation among immigrants with valid work permits.

DHS claims Cruz refused to exit her vehicle, leading agents to break her car window to detain her. Rights groups criticize the operation for disproportionately targeting Hispanic communities, creating a climate of fear for families.

Struggles of Detained Families

As families like Cruz's brace for uncertain futures, they navigate the fallout of these detentions. Jose Reyes, another undocumented father recently arrested, had also been trying to avoid federal agents to protect his family.

His daughter, Heylin Leonor Reyes, described the panic during her father's arrest as agents pulled him from their car in front of their home, leaving her to manage the household.

Amid the emotional turmoil, community organizations are providing support and legal assistance to families grappling with the sudden displacements caused by the ongoing crackdown. Support groups are helping young adults like Escalante and Reyes navigate life amid uncertainty, emphasizing the urgent need for clarity and compassion in immigration enforcement.