New Orleans officials condemn immigration crackdown after video shows agents chasing American citizen

New Orleans (AP) The mayor-elect of New Orleans expressed strong concerns on Friday regarding the federal immigration crackdown that began earlier this week, emphasizing the negative impacts it has already caused. The operation, which involves masked agents interacting with local residents, has sparked public outcry in the city, particularly after a disturbing video surfaced showing federal agents chasing a U.S. citizen.

City officials, visibly frustrated, pointed to the case of 23-year-old Jacelynn Guzman, a U.S. citizen, who was walking home from the store on Wednesday when two masked federal agents approached her. Security footage, provided to The Associated Press, shows Guzman running as a second vehicle appeared and agents pursued her down the sidewalk until she reached her home in Marrero, a neighborhood across the Mississippi River from New Orleans.

Guzman, visibly upset, shouted at the agents: "Were legal, we are from here, born and raised. Dont chase me, that is disgusting." The incident has intensified local backlash, especially as several hundred agents under Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino have deployed to Southeast Louisiana this week as part of a broader immigration enforcement operation aiming to arrest 5,000 individuals. While the Department of Homeland Security has celebrated dozens of arrests, details of these actions have been scarce.

Many Hispanic residents in the area have voiced concerns that they are being unfairly targeted, feeling that agents may detain or abuse them regardless of their legal status. Along with city council members, Democratic Congressman Troy Carter, Hispanic leaders, and civil rights advocates, Mayor-elect Helena Moreno voiced deep apprehension about the situation, claiming the operation is causing significant harm. She highlighted that businesses are being forced to close, and workers are staying home due to the fear of mass arrests.

While federal officials have stated that the operation targets dangerous criminals who have entered the country illegally, Moreno argued that this does not seem to be the case. She has called for public briefings from federal agencies to provide transparency on the operation, specifically requesting data on stops, detentions, charges, warrants, and the backgrounds of those detained, including whether they have violent criminal histories. Moreno stressed that without full visibility into these actions, its impossible to assess whether the operation is focusing on the most dangerous individuals.

Juan Anglin, Guzmans stepfather, expressed understanding for the federal agents' duties but criticized the manner in which they were carrying out their operations. Anglin, who heard his stepdaughter screaming, confronted the agents. He stated that Guzman ran from the agents because she was a young woman surrounded by aggressive, masked men. I thought she was going to be kidnapped, honestly, Anglin said. I thought somebody was going to hurt her.

In response to the incident, the Department of Homeland Security clarified that Border Patrol agents were searching for a criminal illegal alien previously charged with felony theft and convicted of illegal possession of stolen property. DHS explained that agents had encountered a female who matched the description of their target and, after identifying themselves, left once they realized Guzman was not the individual they were searching for.

However, Anglin disputes the governments account, stating that his stepdaughter was targeted solely based on her appearance. Just because you look brown, you look Hispanic, youre going to get stopped, he said. Because now it doesnt matter if you have papers, speak English, or are a citizen thats not enough.

Author: Ava Mitchell