ICE Arrests Police Recruit Days Before Graduation

Larry Temah, a Cameroon national, was arrested by ICE over an active deportation order despite being hired by the New Orleans Police Department.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:07am

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A New Orleans Police Department recruit named Larry Temah, a Cameroon national, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 28 over an active deportation order, just days before he was scheduled to graduate from the police academy.

Why it matters

The arrest comes amid a federal push on immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which targets individuals living in the U.S. without legal status, under an aggressive deportation policy.

The details

Temah first entered the U.S. in 2015 on a visitor visa and was granted conditional residency in 2016 after marrying a U.S. citizen. His application for permanent residency was later denied in 2022 due to alleged fraud. An immigration judge subsequently ordered him removed from the United States after he failed to appear for required hearings. The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) said it had verified Temah's eligibility for employment through the federal E‑Verify system before hiring him and was not notified of any ICE detainer or immigration action.

  • Larry Temah was arrested by ICE on January 28, 2026.
  • Temah was scheduled to graduate from the New Orleans Police Department's police academy less than one week after his arrest.

The players

Larry Temah

A Cameroon national who was a recruit with the New Orleans Police Department and was arrested by ICE over an active deportation order.

New Orleans Police Department (NOPD)

The police department that hired Temah and verified his employment eligibility through E-Verify, but was not notified of any ICE detainer or immigration action.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that arrested Temah over an active deportation order.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees ICE and stated that Temah did not have valid work authorization and was in the United States without legal immigration status.

Tricia McLaughlin

DHS Assistant Secretary who criticized the NOPD for hiring Temah and issuing him a firearm despite his illegal immigration status.

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What they’re saying

“This illegal alien from Cameroon, Larry Temah, is not only breaking the law with every step he takes in this country illegally, but the New Orleans Police Department hired him and issued him in a firearm—what kind of law enforcement department gives criminal illegal aliens guns and badges? It's a FELONY for illegal aliens to even possess a firearm.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary (Newsweek)

“Recent statements regarding Recruit Larry Temah are misleading. The New Orleans Police Department verified Mr. Temah's employment eligibility through ICE's E-Verify system prior to hiring and was never notified of any ICE detainer. New Orleans is not a sanctuary city, and NOPD does not control jail operations or detainer decisions, which fall under the Sheriff's Office. Any claim that NOPD knowingly violated the law is false.”

— New Orleans Police Department (Newsweek)

“I have spoken with Chief Kirkpatrick about this. She says this individual was checked through E-Verify, and the City of New Orleans has adopted new policies and is cooperating with ICE. That said, I still have serious concerns about how this occurred and about the hiring process. I will continue to seek answers from all parties involved.”

— Liz Murrill, Louisiana Attorney General (Newsweek)

What’s next

Temah will remain in federal custody pending removal proceedings, DHS said.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement, as well as the challenges faced by police departments in verifying the immigration status of job applicants and ensuring compliance with immigration laws.