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Category
ICE enforcement

Immigration enforcement in New Orleans

Hands tightly grip a chain-link fence, with a blurred figure standing behind it, suggesting detention or confinement.

ICE has been deporting pregnant and postpartum immigrants. Now we know how many.

Though federal policy discourages the detention of pregnant women and other at-risk people, Homeland Security numbers show that many have been caught up in the immigration enforcement surge over the past year.
by Shefali Luthra, The 19th News March 25, 2026 Updated March 25, 2026

Louisiana crawfish industry struggles with limited foreign workers, ag commissioner says

Gov. Landry says getting more visas is the state congressional delegation’s “lane to drive.”
by Julie O'Donoghue, Louisiana Illuminator March 6, 2026 Updated March 5, 2026

Beads Won: Politics in Mardi Gras parades

Delaney Nolan discusses the anti-ICE paraders during Mardi Gras.
by Carolyne Heldman February 27, 2026 Updated February 27, 2026

In departure from norm, Coast Guard demands immigration papers on Louisiana docks

In St. Bernard Parish, fishing deckhands fear death and detention amid regular immigration sweeps - not by ICE, but the Coast Guard. Critics say the Trump administration is undermining the Coast Guard’s other missions - and harming working-class boat captains while sparing industries with powerful lobbies.
by Delaney Nolan February 11, 2026 Updated February 12, 2026

My mom showed her support by bringing me a sweater.

At first, the writer’s mom wasn’t sure if she should support her daughter’s human-rights work. “She was very very cautious. It was really hard.”
by Cristi Rosales-Fajardo February 9, 2026 Updated February 9, 2026

A pregnant mother in ICE detention says she’s bleeding — and hasn’t seen a doctor in weeks

Cecil Elvir-Quinonez, who is still breastfeeding her youngest child, is awaiting deportation in a Louisiana ICE facility states away from her family and children.
by Shefali Luthra, The 19th News January 30, 2026 Updated January 30, 2026

LENS EXCLUSIVE: The governor pops up on Bourbon Street

Landry pays his respects to the 14 Bourbon Street victims and addresses ICE presence in the city
by Katy Reckdahl with photos by Gus Bennett January 2, 2026 Updated January 7, 2026

‘They tricked me:’ Migrants feel deceived by ICE after being promised $1,000 to voluntarily depart 

Led to expect an “exit bonus,” migrants were left empty-handed in their home countries.
by Delaney Nolan December 18, 2025 Updated December 22, 2025

Usted puede hacer cumplir la ley de inmigración de maneras profesionales

La forma en que se aplica la ley es tan importante como la ley misma.
by Judge Arthur L. Hunter Jr.* December 17, 2025 Updated December 22, 2025

Sheltering in place through the ICE storm

A survey in photo and text, of what New Orleanians are thinking about the local immigrants threatened by Catahoula Crunch.
by Gus Bennett December 12, 2025 Updated January 28, 2026

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The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.
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For more than a decade, we have reported on issues as well as public policy meant to address the needs of residents. The Lens seeks to focus on the inherent inequality that has created a multi-tiered system. We, at The Lens seek to uncover, illuminate, inform and take part in a forward-looking community. Join us.

 
 

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