Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, typically tasked with overseeing wildlife reserves and enforcing local hunting rules, has taken a role that would make even the most seasoned immigration lawyer raise an eyebrow. The state agency, one of only three in the country to partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the 287(g) program, has been detaining individuals suspected of immigration violations.
According to documents obtained by Wired, LDWF officers have assisted ICE in bringing at least six people into federal custody this year. These individuals were not necessarily suspected of committing crimes, but rather were being detained for immigration-related issues, such as overstaying their visas or lacking proper documentation.
The partnership between LDWF and ICE has raised concerns about the potential misuse of authority by local law enforcement agencies. In one instance, a joint patrol in Lake Borgne resulted in the detention of three men who were allegedly violating state statutes related to seed oyster harvesting. The officers involved did not witness any crimes being committed, yet they still managed to identify and detain the individuals for immigration-related issues.
The expansion of the 287(g) program has been relatively low-key this year, with only 1,053 agencies signing agreements compared to a 693% increase in enrollment over the past two years. However, it's clear that some agencies are taking advantage of this partnership to target individuals who may not have committed any serious crimes.
The case of three men detained by LDWF officers in October is particularly troubling. The officers issued civil citations for minor infractions, such as littering and firing a firearm without proper permits, but still managed to call immigration authorities into the scene. It's unclear what happened to these individuals after they were taken into custody, but it's possible that some may have been deported.
In response to Wired's public record request, LDWF officials claimed that the agency only reports immigration-related information to ICE when an individual has "unverified citizenship." However, it's clear that this policy is being used to justify detaining individuals who are simply in the country without proper documentation.
The partnership between LDWF and ICE raises serious questions about the role of local law enforcement agencies in immigration enforcement. While some may argue that these partnerships help to keep communities safe by targeting individuals who pose a threat, others see it as an attempt to expand the reach of ICE and perpetuate systemic injustices against marginalized communities.
One thing is certain: the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has taken on a role that goes far beyond its traditional responsibilities. As the situation continues to unfold, it will be essential to hold LDWF officials accountable for their actions and ensure that these partnerships do not become a regular occurrence in other states.
According to documents obtained by Wired, LDWF officers have assisted ICE in bringing at least six people into federal custody this year. These individuals were not necessarily suspected of committing crimes, but rather were being detained for immigration-related issues, such as overstaying their visas or lacking proper documentation.
The partnership between LDWF and ICE has raised concerns about the potential misuse of authority by local law enforcement agencies. In one instance, a joint patrol in Lake Borgne resulted in the detention of three men who were allegedly violating state statutes related to seed oyster harvesting. The officers involved did not witness any crimes being committed, yet they still managed to identify and detain the individuals for immigration-related issues.
The expansion of the 287(g) program has been relatively low-key this year, with only 1,053 agencies signing agreements compared to a 693% increase in enrollment over the past two years. However, it's clear that some agencies are taking advantage of this partnership to target individuals who may not have committed any serious crimes.
The case of three men detained by LDWF officers in October is particularly troubling. The officers issued civil citations for minor infractions, such as littering and firing a firearm without proper permits, but still managed to call immigration authorities into the scene. It's unclear what happened to these individuals after they were taken into custody, but it's possible that some may have been deported.
In response to Wired's public record request, LDWF officials claimed that the agency only reports immigration-related information to ICE when an individual has "unverified citizenship." However, it's clear that this policy is being used to justify detaining individuals who are simply in the country without proper documentation.
The partnership between LDWF and ICE raises serious questions about the role of local law enforcement agencies in immigration enforcement. While some may argue that these partnerships help to keep communities safe by targeting individuals who pose a threat, others see it as an attempt to expand the reach of ICE and perpetuate systemic injustices against marginalized communities.
One thing is certain: the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has taken on a role that goes far beyond its traditional responsibilities. As the situation continues to unfold, it will be essential to hold LDWF officials accountable for their actions and ensure that these partnerships do not become a regular occurrence in other states.
This is getting outta hand - who gives hunting permits to people with expired visas? 
. It seems like they're using immigration issues as an excuse to target people who are just trying to live their lives without any major crimes committed. I mean, can you imagine if a cop pulled over someone for a minor ticket and then called ICE because they couldn't prove citizenship? 
That's basically what's happening here.
. We need to make sure that LDWF officials are being held accountable for their actions and that these partnerships don't become the norm in other states.
. We need to advocate for fairness and compassion in our communities, especially when it comes to issues like immigration and law enforcement.
. I'm all for keeping communities safe, but we need to make sure our law enforcement is doing it in a way that doesn't disproportionately affect certain groups of people 
.
. And what really gets my goat is when they're detainin' people for immigration-related issues and then citin' them for minor infractions at the same time 
. It's just not right, fam. We need to make sure LDWF officials are held accountable for their actions and that these partnerships don't become a regular thing in other states 
.
. And they're detaining people who aren't even committing crimes? It's like they're trying to round up undocumented immigrants and send them back to... somewhere 
. I had no idea it was still a thing, and now I'm wondering how many other agencies are taking advantage of this partnership. It's like they're trying to make up for some crime or something, but really they're just harassing people who don't speak the language or have the right paperwork 
.
. Can't you just focus on preserving our oysters and gators instead of rounding up migrants? 
.
. I mean, what's next? Policing people's immigration status while they're hunting or fishing? It's just crazy to me how far ICE has reached out to local law enforcement agencies like the LDWF. I remember when we used to think that was a bridge too far... Back in my day, we thought that's where the feds came in - not our local cops! 
. We can't let local agencies like LDWF take on roles that are clearly outside their jurisdiction.
! What's next? The cops asking you for your immigration status when you get a speeding ticket? It's all about the politics, folks 
. We need to be careful here because it's not just about one department making a mistake; it's about the whole system 
.
. The 287(g) program was created for specific reasons, like targeting human trafficking rings or smuggling, but now we're seeing it get used in all sorts of ways 
.
anyway, i think this whole thing is super problematic and we need to keep a close eye on how it unfolds 
we gotta hold these officials accountable for their actions 
. I mean, Louisiana's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries teaming up with ICE to detain people suspected of immigration violations? That's some heavy-handed stuff 
