Nov. 29 (UPI) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials might be readying to deploy agents in New Orleans amid the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
At least 200 ICE agents are bound for New Orleans in December, but the deployment plans might change, ABC News, NBC News and Nola.com reported based on information allegedly provided by anonymous sources.
The deployment comes as ICE wraps up its deployment in Charlotte, N.C., where it made more than 250 arrests.
Customs and Border Protection Commander-at-Large Greg Bovino led the Charlotte action and is to lead the New Orleans deployment, according to ABC News.
The pending deployment has local officials and others in New Orleans and nearby preparing for it.
Many public school officials are messaging parents and others to reassure them that all students are safe while on respective school campuses, Nola.com reported.
New Orleans and adjacent Jefferson Parish have significant numbers of “immigrant communities” that likely would be among those impacted by ICE activities.
Many schools also are informing parents and students of their legal rights and advising them on how to communicate with federal agents as needed.
ICE agents generally avoid schools, but the Trump administration has provided federal law enforcement with guidance on how to operate on school campuses.
The guidance so far has not been needed, but many arrests and immigration law enforcement activities have occurred near schools.
Department of Homeland Security officials have said arrests only would be made on school campuses to protect the public.
Despite assurances from federal and local officials, many parents of students remain concerned, which spurred some schools to offer free rides for students while immigration law enforcement activities are underway.
