New Orleans Police Recruit Detained by Federal Immigration Agents Amid Controversy

Thu Feb 05 2026 01:32:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The New Orleans Police Department faces scrutiny after one of its recruits, Larry Temah, was detained by ICE due to alleged violations of immigration laws.

Larry Temah, a recruit in the New Orleans Police Department, was arrested by federal immigration agents due to a prior deportation order. The department denied any wrongdoing, asserting proper verification of his employment eligibility while DHS claimed New Orleans is not cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Tensions between local authorities and federal agencies continue as the city maintains that immigration enforcement is outside its jurisdiction.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Police Department is under fire after one of its recruits, Larry Temah, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prompting accusations of the city violating federal immigration laws.

Temah, a 46-year-old national from Cameroon, was arrested while attending the police academy and was months away from graduation. He had entered the United States in 2015 on a tourist visa and gained conditional residency in 2016 through marriage. However, his permanent residency application was denied in 2022 on grounds of fraud, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasized, “Criminal illegal aliens have no place on our police forces.” Meanwhile, New Orleans police representative Reese Harper described DHS's claims as “misleading,” asserting that the NOPD had correctly confirmed Temah’s eligibility through a legal verification system and was unaware of any ICE detainment intentions until his arrest.

In a statement, Harper clarified, “New Orleans is not a sanctuary city. Any claim that NOPD knowingly violated the law is false.” The department maintained that Temah had not been given a firearm as he was still completing his training.

This incident arises within the context of Operation Catahoula Crunch, a significant immigration crackdown initiated in New Orleans. Chief Anne Kirkpatrick declared that no discrepancies regarding Temah’s legal status had surfaced during the hiring process, citing 10 years of residence, valid identification, and no criminal record.

The dispute between local and federal authorities mirrors broader tensions over immigration policy enforcement. Louisiana lawmakers have sought to compel New Orleans to coordinate efforts with ICE, yet the police department insists that immigration enforcement lies beyond its responsibilities.

As the situation develops, Temah remains in custody, awaiting deportation, while questions linger on the treatment of immigrants and local law enforcement practices.