US cities are being raided, DHS reveals who is targeting immigrants

US President Donald Trump's administration has launched a new immigration raid in the Democratic-controlled city of New Orleans. The country's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that the raid will target "illegal criminal immigrants."

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on social media, "DHS law enforcement members are now in New Orleans. We will remove the most dangerous criminals from the country." She also accused the city's leadership of ignoring federal law.

New Orleans is known as a "sanctuary city" - where local police cooperate with federal immigration authorities to a limited extent. The raid began at a time when President Trump announced that he plans to send the National Guard to the southern city. He has previously deployed such forces in Los Angeles, Washington and Memphis.

Meanwhile, newly elected Mayor Helena Moreno has expressed concern about the nature of the operation. She said the use of masked federal agents could pose a threat to public safety. “It’s a risk for everyone to have someone walking up to people and arresting them,” she said.

DHS officials claim the operation is aimed at arresting people involved in crimes such as home invasions, armed robberies, car thefts and rape. However, a study by the Cato Institute found that only 5 percent of those detained by ICE since October 1 have a record of violent crimes; and 73 percent have no criminal convictions. This is raising questions and concerns about the fairness and due process of the operation at the local level.

TRT World reports.