The United States Border Patrol New Orleans Sector has concluded Operation Magnolia, resulting in significant law enforcement action. The operation, conducted between March 17 and March 21 along the I-20 highway in Pearl, Mississippi, led to the arrest of 25 illegal aliens. The individuals hailed from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
Of those detained, 22 were processed for removal from the United States. Three individuals will face prosecution under the federal statute for reentry after deportation.
The operation was supported by the Rankin and Hinds County Sheriff’s Offices. The Border Patrol agents were on-site to expedite the processing of the detainees and initiate the removal procedures.
"These operations strengthen and enhance our nation’s border security," said New Orleans Border Patrol Acting Chief Adam Calderon. He added, "We will continue to focus our enforcement efforts on these dangerous criminal networks and their smuggling operations to prevent human trafficking and other organized crime. These Border Patrol enforcement initiatives make our community safer and deter illegal aliens from attempting to break our nation’s immigration laws."
The New Orleans Border Patrol Sector is responsible for a sprawling jurisdiction covering seven states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and part of the Florida panhandle. The sector oversees 592 counties and parishes over an area of approximately 362,310 square miles. The Sector's office is located in New Orleans, with additional stations in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Gulfport, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the largest law enforcement agency in the United States and is recognized as the world's first unified border management organization. It employs more than 65,000 personnel dedicated to protecting the nation on various fronts, while ensuring safe and legal travel and trade. CBP plays a pivotal role in enhancing national security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.
