BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Gov. Jeff Landry has announced a new partnership with federal immigration officials called Operation GEAUX.

According to the governor's office, this program allows Louisiana law enforcement to help enforce federal immigration laws. The goal is to find and remove people who are in the U.S. illegally and have committed crimes.

The plan includes better screening, identifying suspects, and informing the public.

“If you’re here illegally and you engage in criminal activity, you are going to be deported or sent to jail,” said Landry. “Operation GEAUX is the kind of historic, one-of-a-kind partnership that the Trump Administration is looking for to fulfill the President’s promises of restoring law and order! Making America Safe Again.”

In his executive order, Landry said immigration enforcement has weakened in recent years, leading to a large increase in illegal immigration, including in Louisiana, where an estimated 97,000 undocumented immigrants lived as of 2021.

He credits President Donald Trump’s return and stricter immigration policies for a recent drop in border crossings.

State enforcement agencies, including the Louisiana State Police, Department of Public Safety & Corrections, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the State Fire Marshal, and the Louisiana National Guard, are ordered to launch a public awareness campaign on Operation GEAUX's public safety mission.

"We are ushering in a new age in America and Louisiana. One where law and order is the expectation, not the exception. Where our communities and families are protected, and criminals are rejected. The actions taken today are a sign to the world that the days of status quo, lackadaisical immigration enforcement are over."

Read the order below.

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