Immigrant in Police Academy: New Orleans Scandal

An illegal immigrant was arrested by ICE just one week before graduation from the New Orleans Police Department academy, exposing alarming gaps in federal verification systems that allowed someone with no legal status to slip through multiple background checks and nearly become an armed officer of the law.

Story Snapshot

NOPD recruit hired in June 2025 passed E-Verify, background checks, and criminal history screenings despite illegal immigration status
Immigration judge signed removal order on December 5, 2025—after the recruit was already enrolled in police academy
ICE detained the recruit in early February 2026, one week before graduation, exposing serious flaws in law enforcement hiring protocols
New Orleans ICE office leads the nation in immigration detainer requests as enforcement intensifies under Trump administration

Federal System Failures Allow Illegal Immigrant Through Police Vetting

The New Orleans Police Department hired an illegal immigrant in June 2025 who successfully passed the federal E-Verify system, possessed a valid driver’s license and Social Security number, and cleared National Crime Information Center database searches. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated there was “nothing in the personnel packet that would have given us reason to believe that this person did not have legal status.” The recruit, who had lived in the United States for approximately 10 years after previously residing in Georgia, had no criminal history and completed standard background checks without raising red flags.

Removal Order Issued After Hiring Creates Enforcement Gap

An immigration judge signed a removal order for the recruit on December 5, 2025—months after NOPD hired him and while he was actively training at the police academy. This timeline reveals a critical gap between local hiring procedures and federal immigration enforcement mechanisms. Kirkpatrick noted that “the order of removal occurred after we had already hired him,” indicating the department had no way of knowing about pending immigration proceedings during the initial vetting process. The recruit will not receive a bond hearing and remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

ICE Detention One Week Before Graduation Highlights Enforcement Reach

ICE agents took the recruit into custody in early February 2026, just one week before his scheduled graduation from the NOPD academy. The detention occurred “without any incident whatsoever” and “there was no struggle involved,” according to Superintendent Kirkpatrick. NOPD leadership learned of the detention the morning it became public. The case demonstrates the expanded reach of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Division, which has shifted from border-focused operations to interior enforcement targeting suspected undocumented individuals across employment and institutional contexts throughout the Trump administration’s second term.

New Orleans ICE Office Leads Nation in Immigration Enforcement

The New Orleans ICE office operates as a national leader in immigration detainer requests, reflecting the region’s position as a focal point for federal immigration enforcement activities. Since President Trump took office in January 2025, ICE has deported roughly 540,000 people nationwide. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has coordinated with federal authorities on immigration crackdowns in New Orleans, where ICE has conducted widespread arrests including individuals charged with violent crimes. This enforcement surge represents a fundamental shift in federal immigration policy priorities under the current administration.

ICE Arrests Illegal Immigrant Who Was Hired by the New Orleans Police Departmenthttps://t.co/uiykQXgnHK

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The incident raises serious questions about the reliability of E-Verify and standard background check procedures that failed to detect the recruit’s undocumented status. For concerned Americans who understand that law enforcement positions require the highest standards of legal accountability, this case exposes how broken immigration verification systems allowed someone with no legal right to be in the country to nearly become an armed police officer. Law enforcement agencies nationwide may need to implement additional immigration status verification procedures beyond current federal requirements to prevent similar situations and maintain public trust in hiring integrity.