Rep. Carter Statement on Expected Deployment of ICE, Border Patrol, and the National Guard to New Orleans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) issued the following statement regarding the expected deployment of ICE, Border Patrol, and National Guard personnel to New Orleans:

“New Orleans welcomes partnership. We do not welcome occupation.

“What we are seeing unfold in our community is not public safety; it is a political stunt wrapped in badges, armored vehicles, and military uniforms. ICE teams, Border Patrol agents, and now National Guard personnel are being deployed to Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Parishes with almost no notice, no transparency, and no meaningful coordination with local officials.

“These are militarized forces who are not trained in our local laws, not trained in community-based de-escalation, and do not know our neighborhoods or our people. That is a recipe for fear, confusion, and dangerous mistakes.

“There is nothing cute or clever about ‘Swamp Sweep’-style operations. There is nothing funny about workers staying home because they fear being detained and disappeared into a system they do not understand.

“If the administration truly wants to support public safety in New Orleans, they can help us recruit and retain well-trained local officers, invest in modern policing tools, and build transparent partnerships with city and parish leaders. Dropping armed federal agents and National Guard troops into our communities without coordination is not cooperation—it is chaos.

“As Congressman for New Orleans, I want to be clear: We will always stand for the rule of law. We will always stand for safe communities. And we will always stand against tactics that terrorize families and undermine public trust.

“Our city is not a stage for political theater. Our people are not props. If the administration wants to be a partner, then act like one; share the plan, respect local law, and work with us, not around us.”

###