It appears tensions between the police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aren’t just limited to Minnesota anymore. Just recently, New Orleans cops have run into a drama with ICE after the federal agency nabbed and detained a police recruit who was close to graduating; apparently, the cop was an illegal immigrant. Hence, federal officials were quick to label New Orleans as a sanctuary for illegals, but the police aren’t exactly happy with their statements, igniting a growing dispute.
It all began when ICE announced that its agents detained 46-year-old Larry Temah, a Cameroon native training with the New Orleans Police Department, on Jan. 28. Federal officials allege Temah was in the country illegally, lacked valid work authorization, and had even been issued a firearm despite being prohibited from possessing one under federal law. Here’s an image of the arrest:
According to ICE, Temah entered the United States legally in 2015 on a visitor visa and later obtained conditional residency after marrying a U.S. citizen. His application for permanent residency was denied in 2022 due to alleged fraud, the agency said, and immigration records show he failed to appear in court three times, leading a judge to order his removal in absentia.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin blasted the NOPD in a statement, saying the department “hired him and issued him a firearm” and accusing New Orleans of shielding people in the country illegally. “Criminal illegal aliens have no place in our communities, especially on our police forces,” she said, adding that ICE would continue placing detainers nationwide, transcript courtesy of NOLA.com.
New Orleans didn’t like the label
“Recent statements regarding Recruit Larry Temah are misleading,” NOPD spokesperson Reese Harper said. “The New Orleans Police Department verified Mr. Temah’s employment eligibility through ICE’s E-Verify system prior to hiring and was never notified of any ICE detainer. New Orleans is not a sanctuary city.”
Meanwhile, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said she spoke with NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick and confirmed the recruit was screened through E-Verify and background checks. Still, Murrill said she remains concerned. “I still have serious questions about how this occurred and about the hiring process,” she said, pledging to seek answers from all parties involved.
At the moment, Temah remains in ICE custody as removal proceedings continue. People online, however, have raised eyebrows, with some commenters questioning, “How does this even happen?” Others on X/Twitter have joked about the absurdity of the situation, especially between state agents themselves, “Cops vs cops? Your leaving me no one to pull for here.”
