New Orleans’ newly elected mayor voiced concerns on Friday regarding the recent federal immigration enforcement actions, stating that encounters between masked agents and residents have sparked public outcry. The incident involving Jacelynn Guzman, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, who was approached by federal agents while walking home, has drawn particular attention.
Guzman was confronted by masked agents as she returned home from a grocery trip, prompting her to flee until reaching her family’s residence. The mayor-elect, along with city officials and community leaders, expressed worry over the impact of the operation, noting closures of businesses and residents staying home due to fear of potential arrests.
While federal authorities claim the operation targets dangerous criminals who entered the country unlawfully, Mayor Moreno questioned the effectiveness of these efforts. She called for transparency in the form of public briefings to assess the operation’s focus on apprehending violent offenders.
Guzman’s stepfather, Juan Anglin, expressed his concern over the aggressive approach of the agents, emphasizing the need for respectful enforcement practices. The Department of Homeland Security stated that agents had mistaken Guzman for a criminal target and withdrew upon realizing the error, but Anglin contested this explanation, alleging racial profiling.
The community remains on edge as Hispanic residents fear being wrongly targeted by law enforcement based on their appearance, raising broader concerns about the impact of the immigration enforcement operation in New Orleans.