Agencies Track Online Posts on Immigration Operation
US Border Patrol Commander at large Gregory Bovino, center, walks on a street in New Orleans on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
State and federal agencies are intensifying their monitoring of online reactions and public demonstrations related to an immigration enforcement campaign underway in New Orleans. According to law-enforcement documents reviewed by the AP, authorities have been watching message boards around the clock for potential threats to officers and compiling frequent assessments of public sentiment surrounding the ongoing arrests.
Officials have released few details about the initial detentions made last week under the operation known as “Catahoula Crunch,” leaving local leaders frustrated and calling for more transparency. They say they have been given almost no information about how the operation is being conducted.
A briefing circulated to law enforcement early Sunday noted that online views “remain mixed,” with some people supporting the enforcement efforts and others criticizing them. Earlier bulletins flagged posts encouraging the public to film encounters with ICE and Border Patrol, as well as tips circulating about places where agents might find immigrants.
Although immigration authorities have described the operation as focused on “criminal illegal aliens,” records reviewed by the AP show that fewer than one-third of the 38 individuals detained during the first two days had criminal histories—numbers local officials say contradict the stated purpose of the sweep. They have also voiced concern that expanded online monitoring could intimidate community members from expressing their views, especially after warnings that interfering with enforcement could lead to charges.
“This confirms what we’ve known all along—this isn’t about public safety. It’s about generating fear and destabilizing communities,” said Democratic state Sen. Royce Duplessis of New Orleans. “It pushes a harmful narrative that immigrants are inherently violent.” The Department of Homeland Security declined to answer questions about the monitoring efforts, instead pointing to a previous announcement highlighting “dozens of arrests.” The agency has not released a breakdown of those detained or their criminal backgrounds.
The documents also detail cooperation between state and federal agencies in the operation, which has been embraced by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. The FBI and Customs and Border Protection have assigned personnel to Louisiana’s Analytical and Fusion Exchange, where officials are tracking discussions on Reddit and other platforms used by residents to share updates about the raids. Analysts have also monitored tools activists use to resist federal actions—including whistle handouts, trainings on recording encounters with federal agents, and a hotline created to report arrests.
Beth Davis of Indivisible NOLA, whose organizing efforts were referenced in the briefings, said authorities appear to be focusing on the wrong people. “It’s astonishing that they feel threatened by community organizers armed with nothing more than phones and whistles,” she said.
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