NEW ORLEANS – A controversial new state law that creates criminal penalties for local law enforcement officers who do not fully cooperate with federal immigration investigations is set to go into effect next month, putting the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office in a legal quagmire.
For more than a decade, under a legal settlement in a federal civil rights case, the sheriff’s office, which runs the New Orleans jail, has maintained a policy that places tight restrictions on how its employees can interact with federal immigration authorities.
But beginning on Aug. 1, under Act 399 of 2025, Orleans Parish deputies who follow that policy could be charged with committing a felony and face up to 10 years in prison. On the other hand, if the sheriff’s office goes against the policy and obeys the new state law, it risks violating a longstanding federal court settlement.
Bruce Reilly, deputy director of New Orleans criminal justice reform group Voice Of The Experienced, called the new law an example of government “overreach.”
“I think the legal question may be, ‘Can the state pass a law that forces people to be deputized by federal agencies?’” Reilly said.
I feel like the headline is misleading given our current climate.
Orleans sheriff currently has a policy to LIMIT how they interact with ICE. Louisiana passed a law making not cooperating with ICE a felony. Orleans sheriff says they will continue with current policy and limit their interactions with ICE.
Yeah, I agree. There are definitely times when I wish headline editing was accepted.
I cross posted to a different community with m own title.
You can edit titles on lemmy.
yes, but the sub rules say you have to keep the same title as the article.
Yes, it “should” and can be altered, but if it misrepresents the article it will be deleted. It does not say “have to” it says “should”.
Anyways, it doesn’t matter, I’ll probably get down voted for being technical and accurate with my words.
Arrest the lawmakers.
Arrest? Hunh. I guess ya gotta do something to keep them in line for the chop. 🤔
Oh thats okay, we have a system for the investigation and arrest of law enforcement by the…
Oh…
The FBI. Shit, that ain’t happening.
