The Department of Homeland Security is launching a new immigration crackdown in New Orleans. A Homeland Security official says the operation that got underway Wednesday will target violent criminals. The crackdown is the latest expansion of the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps that have unfolded in other U.S. cities. Immigration officials have blanketed big cities and small towns across the nation since January while carrying out President Donald Trump’s aggressive mass deportation efforts. In New Orleans, immigration lawyers say they have been inundated with calls and some businesses have posted signs barring federal agents from entry. Louisiana's Republican governor is welcoming the crackdown.