Over 200 U.S. Border Patrol agents are expected to surge into New Orleans, Louisiana, sometime this week. In an operation called “Swamp Sweep,” federal immigration authorities estimate they will arrest about 5,000 people. New Orleans is the latest Democrat-led city targeted in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Border Patrol to begin immigration enforcement operation 'Swam Sweep' in New Orleans on Monday https://t.co/rYAh0S4J9r — John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) December 1, 2025 More from the Associated Press: Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who has led aggressive operations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte, North Carolina, is expected to helm the campaign. Many in the greater New Orleans area, particularly in Latino communities, have been on edge since the planned operations were reported earlier this month, even as Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he welcomes the federal agents. Here’s what to know about “Swamp Sweep.” Bovino has become the Trump administration’s go-to operative for leading large-scale, high-profile immigration enforcement campaigns. During his operation in Chicago, federal agents rappelled from a helicopter into a residential apartment complex and fired pepper balls and tear gas at protesters. Federal agents arrested more than 3,200 immigrants during a surge in the Chicago area in recent months, but have not provided many details. Court documents on roughly 600 recent arrests showed that only a handful had criminal records representing a “high public safety risk,” according to federal government data. “Thank you President @realDonaldTrump and @Sec_Noem for putting AMERICANS first. We welcome the Swamp Sweep in Louisiana,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said. Thank you President @realDonaldTrump and @Sec_Noem for putting AMERICANS first. We welcome the Swamp Sweep in Louisiana. pic.twitter.com/mlyjFAFsOx — Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) December 1, 2025 CNN provided further info: The operation is expected to start as early as December 1, according to two sources familiar with the planning. Bovino will be joined by 250 Department of Homeland Security agents – roughly the same number sent to other cities to assist the top Border Patrol official, the sources said. In response to CNN’s questions about operations in New Orleans last week, DHS sent CNN a statement from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: “For the safety and security of law enforcement, we’re not going to telegraph potential operations.” It’s unclear how long the agents are expected to stay in New Orleans. President Donald Trump has previously floated New Orleans as a destination for his federal crackdown, saying in an Oval Office meeting this year the city “has a crime problem.” The Crescent City is a Democrat oasis in a Republican state, whose governor is a Trump ally. And Louisiana is familiar territory for Bovino, who led Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector during Trump’s first term. NewsNation provided additional coverage: