ACLU of Louisiana

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno is considering applying for a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Model Cities Initiative, which could fund public safety programs with millions of dollars. However, local advocates argue that receiving the money requires the city to align with Trump administration priorities, including supporting federal immigration enforcement and enacting bans on loitering.

New Orleans City Council discussed implementing stricter reporting rules for the New Orleans Police Department's drone usage, requiring the NOPD to report material changes in drone flights, safety concerns, and other details. The proposal aims to increase transparency and public trust, following past scrutiny over NOPD's drone policies. While residents and advocacy groups expressed support, they argued the ordinance does not go far enough in ensuring accountability.

Human rights organizations are demanding the release of a nursing mother detained by ICE in Louisiana since May, alleging violations of ICE's policies against detaining pregnant or nursing parents. The woman, breastfeeding two children including a toddler with Down Syndrome, has a pending asylum claim and no criminal record. The Department of Homeland Security claims she left her children with an adult during her arrest, which advocates dispute.

Human rights organizations have filed a complaint against ICE for detaining a breastfeeding mother of two young children since May, alleging violations of ICE's own policies against detaining nursing parents. The mother, with a pending asylum claim and no criminal record, is held in Louisiana 700 miles from Nashville, separated from her infant and toddler, one of whom has Down Syndrome and medical issues.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents allegedly arrested a nursing mother without a warrant, violating their own directive against arresting pregnant or nursing individuals. The mother, referred to as Maria Perez, was separated from her infant daughter and toddler, causing medical complications for her children and herself. Immigrant rights groups filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security demanding her release.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing the termination of temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians and Syrians has caused fear and outrage in the New Orleans Haitian community, affecting approximately 350,000 Haitians and 4,000 Syrians nationwide. The decision impacts low-paid healthcare workers and leaves many unable to obtain legal employment, with the Trump administration having stripped TPS from multiple countries since 2025.

A New Orleans criminal court judge is suing Louisiana and Gov. Jeff Landry over a law reducing Orleans Parish Criminal District Court judgeships from 12 to 9, arguing the law (Act 748) failed to meet constitutional vote requirements. The lawsuit claims the law did not secure two-thirds of the elected members in each legislative chamber, rendering it invalid, and seeks to block enforcement and keep three judgeships on the November ballot.

A federal district court dismissed claims from the ACLU of Louisiana alleging racial discrimination. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard announced the court's decision.

Louisiana suspended its House elections after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the state's congressional map unconstitutional for racial gerrymandering. Gov. Jeff Landry declared an 'electoral emergency' to delay primaries, allowing lawmakers to redraw districts, which could reduce majority-Black districts currently represented by Black Democrats.