Tagged News

• Pair pleads guilty to smuggling migrants for profit after being caught in Denham Springs

  May 7, 2026 8:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Two people pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal immigrants who had been smuggled into the United States for profit, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall. Kelly Denise Hernandez, 38, of Birmingham, Alabama and Enrique Garcia-Gonzalez, 27, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, entered their pleas... more »

• Capitol region celebrates Cinco de Mayo amid ICE concerns Play Video

  May 5, 2026 5:37 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Several major U.S. cities have called off their Cinco de Mayo celebrations over concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, but Baton Rouge is still moving forward with its events. Those concerns carry weight in Louisiana, where more than 250 immigrants were arrested during last year's... more »

• ICE officials detail pursuit, standoff that led to 2 Honduran nationals being arrested in Hammond Play Video

  April 17, 2026 11:26 AM

  HAMMOND — Two Honduran nationals were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after the pair led authorities on a chase and barricaded themselves in a Thompson Road home in Hammond, a spokesperson for the agency told WBRZ. According to ICE, agents and Hammond Police officers attempted to stop... more »

• Protesters gather as ICE agents stake out Hammond home for over 13 hours Play Video

  April 16, 2026 6:28 PM

  HAMMOND — Protesters gathered outside a Hammond home where ICE followed two men after a traffic stop on Wednesday night. WBRZ was the only news station there. ICE agents took the two men into custody after waiting more than 13 hours outside a home on Thompson Road. Dozens... more »

• ICE releases newlywed wife of Army soldier, arrested at military base

  April 8, 2026 4:39 PM

  Immigration and Customs Enforcement has released the wife of a U.S. Army staff sergeant after she was arrested at the military base where he is stationed, just days after the couple married. On April 2, Sergeant Matthew Blank, 23, and his wife, Annie Ramos, 22, were joined by relatives... more »

• ICE arrests newlywed soldier's wife at Louisiana military base, report says

  April 6, 2026 2:30 PM

  FORT POLK — ICE agents detained the newlywed spouse of a U.S. Army staff sergeant at Fort Polk in Louisiana, according to a report by The New Republic . According to the outlet, 22-year-old Annie Ramos came to the U.S. from Honduras as a toddler before her marriage to... more »

• Congress' GOP leaders put forward money plan for Homeland Security, minus ICE and Border Patrol

  April 1, 2026 6:34 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced a plan Wednesday to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security , moving past a split between the two Republican leaders that resulted in Congress leaving Washington last week without a fix to a record-setting partial... more »

• Churchgoers, officials say there is heightened awareness during Holy Week after church arson Play Video

  March 31, 2026 8:17 AM

  BATON ROUGE — As Holy Week continues, churches across the capital area are preparing for Easter services. However, several parishioners told WBRZ that they have concerns about safety due to recent events, including an arson at a Catholic church in Caldwell Parish that led to multiple arrests. "Security... more »

• ICE officers will soon help with airport security unless Democrats end shutdown, Trump says Play Video

  March 21, 2026 6:26 PM

  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Saturday he will order federal immigration officers to take a role in airport security starting Monday unless Democrats agree on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. In a pair of social media posts, Trump first threatened... more »

• Residents in West Baton Rouge Parish express concern amid rumors of potential ICE facility Play Video

  March 13, 2026 9:50 AM

  PORT ALLEN — Residents in West Baton Rouge voiced concerns at a Parish Council meeting on Thursday after rumors spread of a potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility being built in the community. According to The Advocate , federal officials have been scoping out locations across the nation... more »

• Mobile clinic headed to several East Baton Rouge Parish schools providing language development services Play Video

  February 23, 2026 11:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A mobile clinic is headed to several East Baton Rouge Parish schools to provide speech and language development services for English learners. As part of a partnership between the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Southern University's School of Nursing and Allied Health, the Jag... more »

• Several state governors meet with President Donald Trump to discuss ICE operations Play Video

  February 20, 2026 5:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Several state governors met with President Donald Trump on Friday to discuss ICE deployment and the Supreme Court's rulings on tariffs. More than 40 of the nation's governors are currently in Washington, D.C. for the National Governors Association's annual Winter Meeting. According to New York... more »

• What to know about the Homeland Security shutdown Play Video

  February 14, 2026 10:31 AM

  (AP) — Another shutdown for parts of the federal government has begun as a fight over proposed restrictions on President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement agenda drags on. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired on Saturday. Democrats say they will not help approve more money until the new... more »

• Anti-ICE protestors gather on College Drive following school walkouts in Baton Rouge

  February 7, 2026 4:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Protestors with Indivisible Baton Rouge gathered on College Drive on Saturday to protest ICE operations in the country following the death of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. The protest follows a walkout staged by Liberty Magnet High School students on Friday, showing how operations have affected... more »

• Judge orders 5-year-old and his dad released from ICE detention Play Video

  January 31, 2026 5:16 PM

  AP — A 5-year-old boy and his father must be released by Tuesday from the Texas center where they’ve been held after being detained by immigration officers in Minnesota, a federal judge ordered Saturday in a ruling that harshly criticized President Donald Trump's administration’s approach to enforcement. Images of... more »

• Louisiana Democratic leaders gather to discuss firsthand accounts of ICE's Operation Catahoula Crunch Play Video

  January 26, 2026 12:04 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — Several congressmen convened at a Democratic forum in New Orleans on Monday to hear firsthand accounts regarding the Trump administration's actions during ICE's Operation Catahoula Crunch in Louisiana following a second fatal shooting by a member of ICE in Minneapolis this past week. Louisiana Congressman Troy... more »

• Man is shot and killed during Minneapolis immigration crackdown, National Guard activated Play Video

  January 24, 2026 12:20 PM

  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal immigration officer shot and killed a man Saturday in Minneapolis, drawing hundreds of protesters onto the frigid streets and ratcheting up tensions in a city already shaken by another fatal shooting weeks earlier. Family members identified the man who was killed as Alex Pretti,... more »

• Baton Rouge residents protest ICE following shootings in Minnesota Play Video

  January 17, 2026 2:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE — More than a week after the fatal shooting of a woman by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota, protests are growing across the country, including in Baton Rouge. On Saturday, residents and community groups gathered in front of Ideal Market on Sherwood Forest Boulevard... more »

• Protestors gather in Baton Rouge in response to fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis Play Video

  January 10, 2026 4:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Protestors gathered on the corner of Jefferson Highway and Corporate Boulevard on Saturday in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on Wednesday. The protest hosted by Indivisible Baton Rouge aimed to "reject violence, injustice and indifference" through speeches,... more »

• New video of fatal Minnesota ICE shooting, from officer's perspective, brings fresh scrutiny

  January 10, 2026 11:06 AM

  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota prosecutor on Friday called on the public to share with investigators any recordings and evidence connected to the fatal shooting of Renee Good as a new video emerged showing the final moments of her encounter with an immigration officer. The Minneapolis killing and a... more »

• 'Hands Off Venezuela' protest held Tuesday on Perkins Road Play Video

  January 6, 2026 10:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Protestors lined Perkins Road Tuesday afternoon to protest the United States' recent involvement in Venezuela. Members of Indivisible Baton Rouge blasted the Trump administration for the capture of Nicolas Maduro, saying there are more important matters the United States should prioritize. "I mean, what does... more »

• Rubio says U.S. won't govern Venezuela but will press for changes through oil blockade Play Video

  January 4, 2026 4:50 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Sunday that the United States would not govern Venezuela day-to-day other than enforcing an existing “oil quarantine” on the country, a turnaround after President Donald Trump announced a day earlier that the U.S. would be running Venezuela following its ouster of... more »

• Local protestors gather in Baton Rouge following Trump's strike on Venezuela Play Video

  January 3, 2026 4:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Local protestors gathered in Baton Rouge on Saturday following the Trump Administration's recent acts, including the strike on Venezuela. The protestors gather on the first Saturday of every month in different locations to express their concerns over the direction the country is headed. "This morning,... more »

• Louisiana leaders express their opinions on President Donald Trump's strike on Venezuela Play Video

  January 3, 2026 2:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana leaders expressed their opinions on President Donald Trump's strike on Venezuela that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Saturday. Several state leaders expressed their support following Trump's address to the nation , where he claimed the U.S. will... more »

• President Donald Trump says U.S. will 'run' Venezuela until safe transition of power can take place Play Video

  January 3, 2026 1:17 PM

  PALM BEACH, Fla. — United States President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Saturday following the U.S. strike on Venezuela that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife. During the press conference, Trump said that the U.S. will 'run' Venezuela until a safe transition... more »

• Contract detention officer pleads guilty to sexually abusing Nicaraguan detainee at ICE facility in Basile Play Video

  December 29, 2025 2:48 PM

  LAFAYETTE — A former contract detention officer pleaded guilty Monday to the sexual abuse of a Nicaraguan detainee at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile. Court records show David Courvelle, 56, was a contract detention officer at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility from Jan. 1 to... more »

• Federal judge to hold hearing on whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being vindictively prosecuted

  December 27, 2025 2:48 PM

  AP - A federal judge this week canceled the trial of Kilmar Abrego Garcia , the Salvadoran man who was mistakenly deported, and scheduled a hearing on whether the prosecution is being vindictive in pursuing a human smuggling case against him. Abrego Garcia has become a centerpiece of the... more »

• White House rebuffs Catholic bishops' appeal for a Christmas pause in immigration enforcement

  December 23, 2025 7:33 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) — Florida's Catholic bishops appealed to President Donald Trump on Monday to pause immigration enforcement activities during the Christmas holidays. The White House, in response, said it would be business as usual. The appeal was issued by Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski and signed by seven other... more »

• Attendance recovers at Baton Rouge schools following drop due to immigration sweeps

  December 20, 2025 3:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Student attendance fell dramatically following the federal immigration sweep that began in Baton Rouge earlier this month; however, many of those students are starting to return to class, according to The Advocate . Attendance originally declined in public schools with large amounts of Hispanic students and... more »

• Records reviewed by AP detail online monitoring, arrests in New Orleans immigration crackdown Play Video

  December 8, 2025 1:46 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — State and federal authorities are closely tracking online criticism and protests against the immigration crackdown in New Orleans, monitoring message boards around the clock for threats to agents while compiling regular updates on public “sentiment” surrounding the arrests, according to law enforcement records reviewed by The... more »

• Diocese of Baton Rouge grants dispensation to Catholics potentially impacted by immigration agents Play Video

  December 7, 2025 12:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge announced that Catholics impacted by immigration agents are not required to go to weekly Mass on Sunday. The diocese released a letter on Thursday in response to the federal immigration crackdown in New Orleans. "With the recent publicized... more »

• A Border Patrol-led immigration crackdown is coming to southeast Louisiana. Here's what to know Play Video

  November 30, 2025 10:50 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Around 250 federal border agents are expected to launch a monthslong immigration crackdown on Monday in southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi dubbed “Swamp Sweep.” The deployment, which aims to arrest 5,000 people, is centered in liberal New Orleans and is the latest federal immigration enforcement... more »

• Louisiana AG warns of penalties during immigration crackdown federal officials aren't yet talking about

  November 24, 2025 6:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE — As federal immigration officers seemingly prepare to infiltrate Louisiana, the state attorney general's office is cautioning that state lawmakers this year established penalties for deliberately hindering the agents' work. The Associated Press reported this month that an operation dubbed "Swamp Sweep" hopes to arrest 5,000 people... more »

• REPORT: At least 200 Immigration Agents expected to be deployed in New Orleans Play Video

  November 17, 2025 6:37 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — At least 200 Immigration Agents are expected to be deployed in New Orleans by the end of the week, according to ABC News. Those agents are currently conducting an immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte, N.C., called "Operation Charlotte's Web." Agents have reportedly made 130 arrests... more »

• ACLU says ICE is unlawfully punishing immigrants at a notorious Louisiana detention center Play Video

  October 6, 2025 3:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The immigration detainees sent to a notorious Louisiana prison last month are being punished for crimes for which they have already served time, the American Civil Liberties Union said Monday in a lawsuit challenging the government’s decision to hold what it calls the “worst of... more »

• Sniper opens fire on Dallas ICE facility, killing 1 detainee, wounding 2: DHS Play Video

  September 24, 2025 9:20 AM

  A sniper opened fire on the Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office on Wednesday morning, killing one detainee and critically wounding two other detainees, the Department of Homeland Security said. The suspected shooter at a Dallas ICE facility has been identified by law enforcement officials as 29-year-old Joshua... more »

• Nearly 20 ICE detainees at Angola on hunger strike Play Video

  September 21, 2025 9:51 AM

  ICE detainees have gone on a hunger strike at Angola State Penitentiary due to the lack of medical care and hygiene products available to them, according to a press release from the National Immigration Project and the Southeast Dignity Not Detention Coalition. They reported on Saturday that a group... more »

• Immigration court set to open up in Baton Rouge in mid October Play Video

  September 2, 2025 6:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A new immigration court is set to open in Baton Rouge on Oct. 20, according to the Executive Office for Immigration Review. The court will be located at 451 Florida Street, Suite 500. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,... more »

• A Chinese student was questioned for hours in the US, then sent back even as Trump policies shift

  August 31, 2025 11:17 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — The 22-year-old philosophy student from China did not expect any problems after his 29-hour flight arrived at a Texas airport this month as he was on his way to study at the University of Houston. His paperwork was in order. He was going to study humanities... more »

• ICE releases Iranian LSU students from custody, ACLU says Play Video

  July 16, 2025 7:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Two Iranian LSU doctoral students were released weeks after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana. Pouria Pourhosseinhendabad and his wife, Parisa Firouzabadi, were arrested in late June by ICE at their off-campus apartment in Baton Rouge.... more »

• ICE agents arrest mother of two, wife of Marine at New Orleans hearing Play Video

  June 11, 2025 5:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A young Baton Rouge family is anxiously waiting for what's next after ICE agents arrested a mother of two in New Orleans last month. Paola Clouatre had an appointment on May 27 at New Orleans USCIS for an interview pertaining to her permanent residence status. The... more »

• Interfaith partners, advocates gather for reflection on toughening immigration legislation Play Video

  June 11, 2025 10:07 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Wednesday morning, advocates and interfaith leaders are gathering for "collective resolve" against toughening anti-immigration legislation in Louisiana. Six bills are on Governor Jeff Landry's desk, aimed at expanding Louisiana's role in immigration enforcement. Supporters say they align with the Trump Administration's push to crack down on... more »

• Louisiana lawmakers vote to toughen immigration enforcement

  June 11, 2025 8:49 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers passed two bills this week aimed at expanding the state’s role in immigration enforcement, joining states like Texas and Florida in helping the Trump administration crack down on undocumented immigrants. One bill would require agencies to track the legal status of people using public services,... more »

• Trump administration backtracks on Harvard foreign student policy

  May 29, 2025 10:55 AM

  Ahead of a federal hearing over Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, the acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a letter Thursday giving the school 30 days to challenge the administration's revocation of that certification. The letter formally notifies the school that its Student... more »

• Congressman Cleo Fields calls for review of visa revocations from Southern students Play Video

  April 22, 2025 10:31 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Rep. Cleo Fields has called upon federal officials to immediately review the visa revocations affecting international students at Southern University. Fields has issued a formal request to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement... more »

• Detained Columbia University activist appears in immigration case at Louisiana detention center Play Video

  March 21, 2025 1:01 PM

  JENA, La. (AP) — Detained Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil appeared briefly Friday in immigration court at a remote Louisiana detention center as his lawyers fight in multiple venues to try to free him. Khalil, 30, a legal U.S. resident with no criminal record, sat alone next to... more »

• House passes immigrant detention bill that would be Trump's first law to sign

  January 23, 2025 10:02 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that requires the detainment of unauthorized immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes, marking the first legislation that President Donald Trump can sign as Congress, with some bipartisan support, swiftly moved in line with his plans to... more »

• Trump names longtime adviser, immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller to deputy chief of policy

  November 11, 2024 11:33 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is naming longtime adviser Stephen Miller, an immigration hard-liner, to be the deputy chief of policy in his new administration. Vice President-elect JD Vance posted a message of congratulations on Monday to Miller on X and said, “This is another fantastic pick by... more »

• Six people, including five undocumented immigrants, cited in Plaquemines Parish for violating fishing laws

  July 1, 2024 2:21 PM

  PLAQUEMINES PARISH — The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the arrest of six people suspected of violating state fishing laws. All but one of the suspects are undocumented immigrants. LDWF says agents spotted the boat while out on patrol in the Mississippi River on Tuesday. They found... more »

• Baton Rouge residents stopped in Texas; undocumented man hiding in stolen truck

  June 28, 2023 12:01 PM

  GALVESTON, Tex. - A vehicle stop near the border in Texas led to the arrest of two Baton Rouge residents and the discovery of an undocumented Guatemala national hiding inside the vehicle. The Kinney County Sheriff's Office said the incident unfolded on Monday night. Deputies pulled over a... more »

• Illegal immigrant charged in bloody beating death of former roommate

  August 11, 2017 11:17 AM

  BATON ROUGE – A 19-year-old was arrested for his former roommate's death, deputies said Friday. David Bueso was charged with second degree murder. Investigators said Bueso beat Jhoel Brizuella, 22, to death in early August inside a Gardere-area apartment. In records filed at the jail pertaining to the... more »

• Protesters gather outside federal court in downtown BR Friday

  February 3, 2017 5:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE – A few dozen protesters stood outside the federal courthouse in downtown Friday afternoon, protesting presidential orders about immigrants and refugees. Most protesters were holding signs out front of the post office, looking across the street toward the courthouse. A few others were on the courthouse side... more »

• Overnight protests at some airports target immigration

  January 29, 2017 11:01 AM

  NEW YORK - Overnight, groups of people gathered at major airports rallying against immigration policies President Donald Trump has put in place. The president's executive order suspends immigration from countries with ties to terror, including Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Iran and Libya, for a time period of 90... more »

• Activists say La. immigration task force too narrow-minded Play Video

  September 3, 2015 7:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Members of a new immigration task force met Thursday to begin discussing how illegal immigration has impacted Louisiana's economy, but some activists are concerned that they're taking too negative a view on the situation. The task force met Thursday to discuss crunching the numbers and seeing how... more »