Federal agents are sweeping through the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, in a massive immigration crackdown, sending a chill thousands of kilometres away to families in Kenya who depend on their relatives in the United States.

The operation, dubbed “Catahoula Crunch,” is the latest front in the Trump administration's stringent immigration enforcement and directly impacts a city reliant on its immigrant workforce. For the estimated 150,900 Kenyan immigrants in the U.S., many of whom are undocumented, such raids create a climate of fear and uncertainty, threatening not just their safety but also a crucial economic lifeline for Kenya.

The United States is the largest source of remittances to Kenya, with inflows hitting a record high in 2024. These funds, which totalled nearly KES 750 billion in the 12 months leading up to April 2025, are essential for school fees, medical bills, and daily sustenance for countless Kenyan households. A disruption caused by detentions or deportations could have immediate and severe consequences on the ground.

Operation Details Unnerve Communities

In New Orleans, roughly 250 federal agents have been deployed, targeting an estimated 5,000 arrests. Gregory Bovino, a border patrol chief who has become a prominent face of the administration's deportation efforts, was seen leading masked agents through the city's historic French Quarter. Community organizers have responded by urging residents to stay indoors and educating them on their rights if confronted by immigration officers.

Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security official, stated the operation aims to capture immigrants previously arrested for serious crimes. However, broad sweeps often ensnare individuals with minor infractions or no criminal record, amplifying anxiety within immigrant populations, including Kenyans who may fear being caught in the wide net.

Anxious Diaspora Watches Closely

While there is no indication that Kenyans are being specifically targeted, the aggressive tactics are a worrying development. The Trump administration has made immigration a central policy focus, with a history of expanding travel bans and sanctions on countries, including some in Africa, that it deems uncooperative on deportations. This has created a precarious environment for the diaspora community, which is scattered across states like Texas, Washington, and Minnesota.

Analysts note that a slowdown in remittances has previously coincided with the rollout of anti-immigrant policies in the U.S. The current crackdown in New Orleans could further destabilize this critical source of foreign exchange for Kenya.

• Kenyan Diaspora in US: An estimated 150,900 Kenyan immigrants live in the United States.
• Remittances (12 months to April 2025): Approximately $4.997 billion (approx. KES 646 billion).
• US Share of Remittances: The US accounts for over half of all remittances sent to Kenya.

As the operation continues, many Kenyan families, both in the U.S. and at home, are left waiting and watching. The unfolding events in New Orleans serve as a stark reminder of how distant political decisions can have deeply personal and financial consequences for Kenyans thousands of miles away.