The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported the arrest of more than 250 individuals identified as criminal illegal aliens in the New Orleans area since the start of Operation Catahoula Crunch on December 3, 2025.
“For too long, the sanctuary policies of New Orleans have endangered the lives of the citizens and visitors of its beautiful city,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “It is asinine that the very politicians elected to serve the great people of New Orleans have allowed gang members, repeat offenders, sex criminals, and violent abusers to walk their streets and terrorize their citizens. DHS will continue arresting these scumbags until every criminal illegal alien has been removed from the streets of New Orleans.”
Among those arrested during this operation are individuals with a range of prior convictions and arrests. These include Oscar Francisco Avila-Norales from Honduras, who is described as a gang member with an active warrant in Pennsylvania and a final order of removal dating back to 2012; Transito Danieli Hernandez-Medina from Guatemala, previously deported in 1999 and convicted for felony sexual battery of a minor; Allan Isel Funes-Enamorado from Honduras, convicted for illegal entry; Fernando Enrique Hernandez from Honduras, previously arrested for aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon and armed robbery; Roberto Pacheco-Dominguez from Mexico, who reportedly entered the United States illegally at least four times; Rafael Campos-Villanueva from Mexico, previously arrested for domestic abuse battery; Jesus Vazquez-Guillen from El Salvador, issued an order of removal in 2016; Jose Alfredo Canales-Rodriguez from El Salvador, previously arrested for driving while intoxicated; and Angel Alejandro Banales-Chavez from Mexico, previously arrested for obstruction of justice.
DHS stated that Operation Catahoula Crunch aims to target individuals considered among the most serious offenders within the undocumented population in New Orleans.
