Voto Latino Calls Out Trump’s Pattern of Militarizing Immigrant Communities as New Orleans Becomes Latest Target
Washington, D.C. — Today, Voto Latino condemns the Trump administration’s latest escalation of immigration enforcement as they have deployed U.S. immigration officials to launch an operation in New Orleans with the objective of making 5,000 arrests. This deeply concerning action comes as the administration also plans to deploy National Guard troops to New Orleans, signaling a dramatic and alarming increase in militarized tactics against immigrant communities.
In response, Voto Latino issued the following statement:
“What we are witnessing is another state being subjected to the Trump administration’s exertion of militarized forces—continuing a pattern of targeting communities that have endured fear and uncertainty. The Trump administration has unleashed chaos onto U.S. cities where we have seen the gradual erosion of due process, blatant incidents of abuse at the hands of ICE, the detainment of law-abiding community members and U.S. citizens, and an increased sense of terror within vulnerable communities.
This is not about public safety. This is about the Trump administration engaging in political theater at the expense of families that contribute to the fabric of our country. Deploying ICE and the National Guard into neighborhoods creates an environment where trust between residents and local institutions erodes. These are tactics that push immigrant communities further into the shadows.”
The Growing Map of Trump’s Militarized Immigration Operations:
- Illinois: Chicago-area enforcement actions prompted community panic, with reports of U.S. citizens being detained, and even seeing the use of Black Hawk helicopters in residential areas.
- California: In Los Angeles, large-scale ICE sweeps sent shockwaves through immigrant communities. National Guard troops used force against U.S. citizens protesting the injustices being faced by the city’s immigrant community.
- North Carolina: Federal agents made their way into the city of Charlotte, conducting large-scale raids that led to over a hundred arrests within 48 hours. More than 30,000 students did not attend schools as a result of these raids.
- Minnesota: The Trump administration now plans to send immigration enforcement agents to target Somali migrants in Twin Cities—fueling a dangerous and divisive rhetoric.
“We stand with the families of New Orleans who deserve dignity and the freedom to live without the threat of militarized presence. Voto Latino calls on local, state, and federal leaders to reject the use of militarized enforcement against immigrant families and to demand transparency and accountability from the Trump administration.”
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Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered nearly two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.