In New Orleans, about 30 activists were ejected from a City Council meeting Thursday after calling for ”ICE-free zones” and asking local leaders to do more to protect immigrants. During a public comment period, members of the public went to the microphone one by one and were cut off when it became clear they wanted to speak on immigration, which wasn’t on the formal agenda.

Brittany Cary: “And I’m asking City Council for ICE-free zones. Make all city-owned property ICE-free zones, and prohibit ICE and DHS from using city property to stage their operations. No collaboration with ICE. City Council must pass ordinances that codify noncollaboration” —

Chair: “Ma’am?” 

Brittany Cary: — “between the city of New Orleans and ICE, including all of its offices and” — 

Chair: “As I stated previously, that is not germane. Thank you for your comments.”

The protests came as the Border Patrol announced a surge of more than 200 federal immigration agents into New Orleans, which the agency is calling “Operation Catahoula Crunch.” They aim to make 5,000 arrests over two months. We’ll go to New Orleans later in the broadcast.