New Orleans Police Deny Wrongdoing After Recruit Detained by ICE

Department says it verified recruit's employment eligibility through DHS system before his arrest.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:47pm

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The New Orleans Police Department is denying any wrongdoing after one of its police recruits, Larry Temah, a 46-year-old Cameroonian national, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Temah had been in the police academy and was several months away from graduation when he was arrested. The department says it had verified Temah's employment eligibility through a DHS verification system and was not notified that ICE was seeking to detain him until the day of his arrest.

Why it matters

The clash between the city and federal authorities arises in the aftermath of a sweeping immigration crackdown centered around New Orleans. The Trump administration has repeatedly accused the city of undermining federal immigration enforcement, and Louisiana has passed legislation seeking to force the city to collaborate with ICE. This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local and federal authorities over immigration policy.

The details

Temah had entered the U.S. in 2015 on a valid visitor visa and received conditional residency in 2016 after marrying a U.S. citizen. In 2022, his application for permanent residency was 'denied due to fraud,' according to DHS. The NOPD says it had confirmed Temah's employment eligibility through a DHS verification system and was never notified that ICE was seeking to detain him until the day of his arrest. The department also stated that Temah had not been given a gun because he was still in the process of completing the police academy.

  • Temah entered the U.S. in 2015 on a valid visitor visa.
  • Temah received conditional residency in 2016 after marrying a U.S. citizen.
  • In 2022, Temah's application for permanent residency was 'denied due to fraud'.
  • Temah was in the NOPD's police academy when he was detained by ICE in January 2026.

The players

Larry Temah

A 46-year-old Cameroonian national who was a police recruit with the New Orleans Police Department when he was detained by ICE.

New Orleans Police Department

The police department in New Orleans that had hired Temah as a recruit and is denying any wrongdoing in the case.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that detained Temah, a police recruit, and accused the city of New Orleans of violating federal immigration laws.

Reese Harper

A spokesperson for the New Orleans Police Department who stated that DHS had made 'misleading' statements about Temah's case.

Anne Kirkpatrick

The chief of the New Orleans Police Department who stated that no issues with Temah's legal status had emerged during the hiring process.

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What they’re saying

“Criminal illegal aliens have no place in our communities — especially on our police forces.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, DHS spokesperson (DHS)

“New Orleans is not a sanctuary city. Any claim that NOPD knowingly violated the law is false.”

— Reese Harper, NOPD spokesperson (NOPD)

“We did the due diligence.”

— Anne Kirkpatrick, NOPD Chief (NOPD)

What’s next

The judge in Temah's case will decide on whether to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local and federal authorities over immigration policy, with the NOPD denying any wrongdoing and claiming it followed proper procedures in verifying Temah's employment eligibility.