NEW ORLEANS, LA —  The New Orleans City Council is introducing an online portal for citizens to report potential abuse from federal immigration officers. Following recent reports of escalating immigration enforcement in the Greater New Orleans area, the City Council created the Know Your Rights webpage to help citizens report potential abuse by federal agents and educate themselves on their rights when interacting with agencies such as Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.

“The announcement of Operation Catahoula Crunch has caused significant alarm in our city and created a culture of fear among our most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor-Elect Helena Moreno. “As the next mayor of this city, it is my duty to protect every single resident. We must do what we can to protect New Orleans and ensure due process is followed for all of our residents. That's why we want to make sure we document any issues for further action.”

“While the federal government claims they are only targeting violent criminals, we have all seen the reports of law-abiding residents being ripped away from their families and loved ones to serve a political agenda,” said Council President JP Morrell. “This webpage was created because the public has the right to know what federal immigration officers are doing in our city and any potential abuse that may stem from their presence. I urge all citizens to educate themselves on their rights when interacting with immigration officers and remain vigilant of any potential activity.”

“These recent DHS/ICE actions have demonstrated not only violations of basic rights, but they are destabilizing our neighborhoods and hurting our economy,” said District B Councilmember Lesli Harris. “When mothers and teenagers are taken during routine check-ins, when a workplace is raided, and when local businesses like Taqueria Guerrero close out of fear, our entire city feels the impact. Our immigrant families are essential to New Orleans, and these tactics create fear, disrupt operations, and undermine trust.”

“It’s vital that we recognize everyone’s humanity,” said District C Councilmember Freddie King. “The images and videos I've seen are truly heartbreaking, and this isn’t who we should be. As a Black man who’s been profiled, I can definitively state that no one should have to live in fear because of their race or nationality.”

“As members of the New Orleans City Council, our primary concern is with ensuring the safety of all in New Orleans,” said District D Councilmember Eugene Green. “Adherence to the Constitution and respect for individual rights promotes safety and wellbeing for our residents and visitors alike. The officers of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) have been effectively trained in policing methods that are consistent with stated Constitutional rights. I trust that the immigration enforcement officers deployed to our city will act in a manner that is sensitive to the rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.”

Handouts outlining your rights with immigration enforcement officials are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. An Arabic translation will be available in the coming days.

Learn more at www.council.nola.gov/knowyourrights/