By Liam Combs
Published: Dec. 22, 2025, at 4:43 PM CST
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Faith leaders and community organizers gathered outside the Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Scotlandville, demanding an end to the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement, known as Operation Catahoula Crunch.
As Christmas approaches, the Free the Swamp campaign is using the word of Jesus to call for compassion for the immigrant community.
“As a community, not a year ago, we were excited to be a welcoming community,” Rev. Alexis Anderson said. “We were the gumbo that Louisiana likes to say it’s so proud of. But I say we are still that gumbo. We will stand with our neighbors. This is our call, and we will accept it.”
Organizers said thousands of families have been sheltering in place in the wake of Operation Catahoula Crunch, fearful of being separated during this time. For those who are unsure of the status of their citizenship, many are afraid to ask questions. Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) Executive Director Dauda Sesay has been organizing resources for those impacted families. Today, he shared his personal testimony of his road to American citizenship.
“Louisiana is home. My home is not the same. But I appreciate this nation for giving me a chance at life, a chance to become whole. I lost my dad at a young age just like many children are losing their parents now. My family’s house was set on fire with my mom and relatives inside by people in masks. And now we are seeing that same image of people in masks on our own streets.”
Also in attendance at the protest was Regina Barrow, state Senate president pro tempore. Barrow said she is concerned about the lack of communication between DHS and local law enforcement on enforcement operations.
“What happens if someone just comes to me with a mask on? Am I just supposed to comply? I see no face. They are telling me that they are ICE, but I don’t know who they are. What am I supposed to do? I thought that was a very good question, and I have not gotten an answer for that,” Barrow told WAFB.
Barrow called on other lawmakers to demand transparency into these operations and promote a shared dignity for the Greater Baton Rouge immigrant community.
Link to original article: https://www.wafb.com/2025/12/22/faith-leaders-cry-free-swamp-protest-against-immigration-raids/