State information

Louisiana

A high-level overview of immigration enforcement activity, school protection policies, and resources for families and educators in Louisiana.

Overview

State context

Louisiana has no state law protecting schools from immigration enforcement. Several parishes have entered 287(g) agreements with ICE. New Orleans has maintained a more protective local posture. ICE is active across the state, particularly in the New Orleans metro area and in the sugar cane and seafood industries.

ICE activity

ICE is active in Louisiana, with a field presence in New Orleans and operations across the state. Parishes with 287(g) agreements effectively extend ICE authority to local law enforcement.

School policies

No statewide school protection policy. New Orleans schools have informally worked to support immigrant families, particularly in the post-Katrina era when immigrant workers were critical to rebuilding. No formal warrant-based policies are widely adopted.

Notes for advocates

Louisiana's immigrant community includes significant populations from Central America, Mexico, and Vietnam, particularly in the New Orleans metro and coastal communities tied to fishing and seafood processing. The post-Katrina construction boom brought many immigrant workers and families. Advocates focus on legal services and community organizing.

Is your district protected?

Find out whether your school district has a warrant-based policy in place, and what you can do if it doesn't.