More than 200 Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have begun hitting the streets of New Orleans in the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown across the U.S.

For weeks, Louisiana has been preparing for the newest round of mass deportation efforts, and Loyola University New Orleans has been too. 

“Loyola reactivated its Immigration Task Force before the Thanksgiving holiday break to provide clear guidance and support to our campus community in light of recent reports about federal immigration activity in the area,” said Aariel Charbonnet, vice president of marketing and communications.

Immigration officials have blanketed big cities and small towns across the nation since January while carrying out Republican President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts. 

The operation in Louisiana is called “Catahoula Crunch,” continuing Homeland Security’s pattern of assigning region-specific names to the crackdowns. The Catahoula leopard dog is Louisiana’s official state dog. 

“The Immigration Task Force continues to meet regularly as we monitor developments and work to ensure that our community has the information and support it needs,” Charbonnet said.

In preparation for federal agents descending into the city, Loyola’s police department issued statements to the university community. 

LUPD underlines the importance of the “See something, say something” guideline. 

“You do not need to determine whether something constitutes a threat — if something raises concern, please share it,” said Chief of University Police Daniel Spangler. “Our community plays a critical role in campus safety. When students, faculty, and staff report something unusual, that helps us respond quickly and appropriately.”

Arrests began on the morning of Dec. 3 with Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who led enforcement operations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte, North Carolina, meeting up with agents assembling in a Home Depot parking lot.

The objective is to make as many arrests as possible over at least 60 days, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The deployment aims to arrest 5,000 people and is centered in the city of New Orleans.

“It started …and it’s going to run until we get them all off the street,” Landry said during an interview on the Walton & Johnson radio show.

In addition to the deployment of federal agents, Landry said he expects National Guard members to arrive in New Orleans before Christmas to join the efforts to combat crime. The immigration operation’s planning documents showed border agents intended to launch a monthslong crackdown in southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi.

According to Charbonnet, Loyola’s Immigration Task Force meets regularly to monitor developments and to communicate with and support the university community. University administration has also provided students and faculty with resources such as university counseling and campus ministry should they need support. 

“During times of heightened concern, our Jesuit mission calls us to accompany one another with compassion, courage, and care,” said Vice President of Mission & Identity, Father John Cunningham. 

LUPD does not have the authority to stop federal agents who are acting lawfully. However, according to Spangler, standard practice is for agencies to coordinate with local jurisdictions, meaning federal agencies should be in contact with LUPD before taking enforcement action on campus. 

“That coordination allows us to support safety and minimize disruption,” Spangler said. 

The police chief added that the campus will be notified if there is a safety concern or if community awareness is deemed necessary. 

Fear and uncertainty have weighed heavily on the immigrant community in New Orleans—a one-of-a-kind American city known as the birthplace of jazz and for its Mardi Gras celebrations and rich blend of French, Spanish, African and Native American cultures.

“We understand that these conversations can create worry. The best thing community members can do is contact LUPD right away if they have questions or see something unusual. We are here to support and protect our students, faculty, and staff,” Spangler said.

The Associated Press contributed to this reporting