NOPD Recruit Taken Into Custody by ICE

Recruit hired before judge signed removal order, police say

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:07pm

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A recruit with the New Orleans Police Department was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. The recruit had passed the department's verification system and had a valid driver's license and social security number, but a judge had signed an order of removal prior to the hire.

Why it matters

This incident raises questions about the vetting process for police recruits and the challenges departments face in hiring qualified candidates amid immigration enforcement efforts.

The details

The NOPD recruit was taken into custody by ICE, despite having passed the department's verification system and having valid identification documents. Superintendent Kirkpatrick stated that the recruit was hired before a judge had signed an order of removal, indicating a breakdown in the background check process.

  • The recruit was hired by the NOPD before a judge signed an order of removal.

The players

Anne Kirkpatrick

The Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that took the NOPD recruit into custody.

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What they’re saying

“The recruit had a valid driver's license and social security number and passed the department's verification system.”

— Anne Kirkpatrick, NOPD Superintendent (wgno.com)

What’s next

The removal process for the NOPD recruit is currently underway, and no bond has been set.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the complexities and challenges police departments face in vetting and hiring qualified candidates, especially in the context of immigration enforcement efforts.