News Summary
Governor Jeff Landry has proposed to house undocumented immigrants labeled as ‘the worst of the worst’ at Angola Prison in Louisiana. The initiative aims to use an unused section of the prison to detain federal immigration detainees, a move seen as controversial due to concerns about mixing non-violent immigrants with violent offenders. The proposal has garnered support from law enforcement but has faced criticism from legal experts regarding safety and human rights implications. An official announcement is expected soon, clarifying the plan and addressing the criticism.
Angola, Louisiana – Governor Jeff Landry has put forth a proposal to house “the worst of the worst” criminal undocumented immigrants within the state at Angola Prison, the largest maximum-security facility in the United States. This initiative involves utilizing an unused section of Angola to detain hundreds of federal immigration detainees, a move expected to be officially announced on Wednesday afternoon at the prison.
Angola Prison, located on an 18,000-acre site, currently houses over 4,200 inmates, with more than half serving life sentences. The facility has long been known for its stringent security measures and its history of housing some of the most dangerous convicts in the nation. The proposed detention area for immigrants is referred to by officials as “Camp 47.”
Alongside Governor Landry, the announcement will include notable figures such as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi, indicating a strong support network for this initiative at both state and federal levels.
Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley has endorsed this plan, expressing concerns about violent crime in Kenner, particularly gang-related activities involving groups like MS-13. He highlighted the need for stricter immigration enforcement measures to ensure community safety, citing the removal of dangerous individuals from local streets as a key motivation. He has voiced confidence in housing immigrant detainees at Angola and emphasized collaboration with federal partners to facilitate this process.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from various quarters, notably from immigration attorney Glen Wasserstein. He argues that the plan is designed to intimidate immigrants, potentially pushing them toward self-deportation. Wasserstein has identified significant safety and human rights concerns regarding the housing of non-violent immigrant detainees alongside violent offenders, asserting that it creates an unjust situation for those who have not committed crimes.
Critics of the plan have raised alarms about the implications of mixing detainees who may be held for immigration violations with those serving sentences for violent crimes. They argue that this could exacerbate safety risks within the prison environment and infringe upon the rights of detainees who do not pose any criminal threat.
The proposal to house undocumented immigrants at Angola aligns with broader trends seen during the Trump administration, which emphasized increased immigration enforcement across the country. This shift reflects an ongoing debate regarding immigration policy in the United States, as states grapple with how to manage the intersection of crime and immigration.
As Governor Landry’s administration moves forward with this proposal, it will likely raise further discussions about the role of state facilities in federal immigration enforcement and the broader consequences for communities inside and outside of prison walls. The implications of housing criminal undocumented immigrants in one of the country’s most notorious prisons will undoubtedly remain a contentious topic among lawmakers, law enforcement, and advocacy groups.
The official announcement will shed more light on the plan and possibly clarify how the state intends to address the criticisms and concerns surrounding this initiative.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WWLTV
- Wikipedia: Angola Prison
- New York Times
- Google Search: ICE detention facilities
- Bloomberg
- Google Scholar: immigration policy USA
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- NOLA
- Google News: Governor Landry immigration
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
