In brief
Larry Temah, a New Orleans police recruit from Cameroon, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while undergoing training at the police academy, accused of violating federal immigration laws. The New Orleans Police Department denies wrongdoing, stating that Temah had been verified for employment eligibility and that they were unaware of any issues until his arrest. This situation has sparked a confrontation between city and federal authorities amidst an immigration crackdown operation in New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Police Department is at the center of controversy after one of its recruits, Larry Temah, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Temah, a 46-year-old Cameroonian national, was arrested last month while preparing for graduation from the police academy, raising concerns about the city’s adherence to federal immigration laws.
Temah entered the U.S. in 2015 on a visitor visa, later obtaining conditional residency in 2016 after marrying a U.S. citizen. However, his application for permanent residency was denied in 2022 due to alleged fraud, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin asserted, Criminal illegal aliens have no place in our communities — especially on our police forces, underscoring the federal agency's stance.
Nevertheless, Reese Harper, spokesperson for the New Orleans Police Department, claimed that the DHS made misleading statements regarding Temah’s eligibility. The NOPD had confirmed Temah’s employment eligibility through a DHS verification system and was not notified of ICE's intent to detain him until his arrest occurred.
New Orleans is not a sanctuary city, Harper stated, arguing against any claim that the NOPD had knowingly disregarded immigration laws.
During the hiring process, New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick indicated that there had been no legal status issues with Temah, emphasizing that he had lived in the U.S. for over ten years without a criminal record.
This conflict emerges as part of a larger federal immigration operation, dubbed Operation Catahoula Crunch, which began in December 2022, and has drawn substantial attention and criticism from both local authorities and immigrant rights advocates.
As the fallout continues, many are left questioning how the relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement will evolve moving forward.
