Amid public confusion about the role of Homeland Security, coupled with fears of potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, the Metro Council accepted $1.16 million to house federal agents alongside Baton Rouge police in a gang-crime task force.
The vote to accept federal dollars came after members of the public voiced fears that the task force would mean U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and immigration enforcement in Baton Rouge.
Police Chief TJ Morse did his best to ease those fears, pointing out that the measure simply is to house federal agents from the DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals and other agencies under the same roof with Baton Rouge police so they can work together.
βThis is not U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, this is not Border Patrol,β Morse said. βThe sole purpose is for going after gun violence, criminal activity related to gangs.β
Despite Morse's efforts to clarify and tell the public that the space will house nonimmigration operations already underway, members of the public still expressed concerns.
βWill U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have access to this task force and this building?β asked Tania Wolf, an immigrant justice advocate based in New Orleans. βThe chief mentions that folks will be under one roof; that to me sounds like more collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.β
The discussion turned animated at times, as members of the public voiced fears that the federal agencies would later decide to carry out U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on Baton Rouge streets and make unlawful arrests. Two speakers were reprimanded by Mayor Tempore Brandon Noel for using expletives in the council chambers.
But Morse said the agreement between the agencies is written so that operations must be approved by him.
βWe don't have any task forces with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,β Morse said. βThey met with us in the last year, and we told them that we did not have an immigration crime problem here.β
Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse answers questions during an update on the investigation of the shooting at the Mall of Louisiana at the BRPD headquarters on Friday, April 24, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Staff photo by Michael Johnson
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
The measure eked by with seven βyesβ votes. Republicans Laurie Adams, Denise Amoroso, Rowdy Gaudet, Dwight Hudson, Aaron Moak and Noel, and Democrat Carolyn Coleman voted to approve.
Republican Jen Racca and Democrat Cleve Dunn Jr. were absent.
βGuns and gangs and drugs, all of that is detrimental to our communities, and my constituents are my No. 1 interest,β Coleman said. βJust last night, a 17-year-old was killed in District 10, and I take all of this stuff seriously here.β
Morse said 34 homicides have been committed in the city limits so far this year, the βvast majorityβ of which were instances of retaliation related to ganglike groups.
The chief said he understands the fears from the public related to immigration enforcement.
βI get it from a personal level. I get it, having a wife who is Latina, and her family,β Morse said. βI get it from when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was here and very active earlier this year.β
Some members of the council attempted to delay a vote for two weeks or more to better inform the public that the space renovation had nothing to do with immigration.
But Morse voiced concern that the federal grant funds would go to another agency if they werenβt approved quickly.