Residents urge Jefferson Parish to demand transparency and protections after large federal immigration operations

Gretna — A broad coalition of residents, faith leaders, business groups and nonprofit organizations used the Jefferson Parish Council’s public-comment period on Dec. 10 to press elected officials for action and transparency after large-scale federal immigration enforcement deployments that speakers say have disrupted daily life in the parish.

Speakers included Sarita Stav of Operation Restoration, Myra Pineda, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, Riza Petrie (chairwoman of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce), clergy and dozens of residents. Their testimony described falling school attendance, reduced business patronage, canceled medical appointments and pervasive fear after enforcement activity widely referred to in the meeting as "Operation Catahoula Crunch."

"This is not an isolated struggle," Myra Pineda said, listing local economic and demographic contributions by Hispanic residents and urging officials to protect due-process rights and human dignity. Riza Petrie said, "Our parish has the highest concentration of Hispanics in the entire state of Louisiana," and described families too frightened to leave their homes and children who are missing school.

Speakers pressed the council to take several actions: request transparency from federal agencies about who is being arrested and where those people are taken; provide clear information to residents about constitutional rights and contact points for legal help; and consider codifying noncooperation with ICE or rescinding local cooperative law-enforcement agreements where permissible.

Several faith leaders described the emotional toll on children. "These childrens will now have a great a great Christmas," Pastor Melchized Castillo said during an emotional appeal. Many community organizations — including Echo Community Center and the Hispanic Chamber — asked the council to use its leverage to protect residents and coordinate services for families and businesses affected by the enforcement activity.

Council response and limits

Council members acknowledged residents’ concerns and said they would pursue available avenues for oversight and information. Councilwoman Van Brinken reminded the audience that municipalities have limited legal authority over federal immigration enforcement but encouraged dialogue between the council, parish administration and the judicial branch. No formal policy or ordinance related to immigration enforcement was adopted during the meeting.

What residents said

- "When our students live in fear of their families being torn apart, their education and emotional well-being become collateral damage," said a Jefferson Parish public-school educator during public comment. - "Workers are scared to go to work…restaurants are closing down," said Olivia Wagner, a community member, citing observed decreases in attendance and commerce.

What happens next

Speakers urged the council to request transparency from federal agencies and to coordinate local resources for legal aid, school outreach, and business support. The council did not place a related resolution on the agenda during this meeting; activists said they would return with formal requests for transparency and noncooperation at future meetings.

Public records and fact notes

The claims made in public comment are primarily anecdotal and were presented as first-hand accounts; they were not adjudicated at the meeting. Attendance and economic figures cited by speakers were not validated during the session and should be independently verified.