NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Police Department is denying wrongdoing after one of its recruits, Larry Temah, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which accused the city of violating federal immigration laws.
Federal agents arrested Temah, a 46-year-old Cameroonian national, last month. He had previously received an order of removal from an immigration judge, and he remains in custody while awaiting deportation.
Temah was attending the police academy at the time of his arrest, nearing graduation. He entered the U.S. in 2015 on a visitor visa, later obtaining conditional residency after marrying a U.S. citizen. However, in 2022, his application for permanent residency was denied due to alleged fraud.
“Criminal illegal aliens have no place in our communities — especially on our police forces,” stated ICE spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
However, NOPD spokesperson Reese Harper argued that the department had followed procedure and confirmed Temah's eligibility through ICE's verification system. Harper indicated that the department was not notified by ICE of Temah's pending detainment until the day he was arrested.
According to Harper, New Orleans is not a sanctuary city, and claims of intentional law violations are false. Additionally, he noted that Temah had not been issued a firearm as he was still in training.
The situation arises amidst a broader immigration enforcement initiative called Operation Catahoula Crunch, which began in December and has faced scrutiny as federal resources have been redirected.
President Donald Trump's administration has frequently criticized New Orleans for not supporting federal immigration enforcement effectively. Despite the disagreements, NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick emphasized that there were no issues with Temah's status during the hiring process, stating that he had lived in the U.S. for a decade and held a valid driver’s license and Social Security card without any criminal record.
DHS has yet to clarify why Temah was considered eligible for employment. No public statements from Temah’s legal representation have been issued, and the situation continues to draw attention from various stakeholders.
