A chilling breach of security unfolded in New Orleans, culminating in the arrest of a police recruit from Cameroon just days before graduation. Larry Temah, 46, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, revealing a stunning oversight: he had been issued a firearm despite an existing deportation order.
Temah’s journey began legally in 2015, entering the United States on a visitor visa. He subsequently gained conditional residency through marriage to a U.S. citizen, seemingly following the proper channels. However, his path to permanent residency hit a wall in 2022 when his application was rejected due to allegations of fraud.
Following the denial, Temah was summoned to immigration court on three separate occasions, but failed to appear each time. This prompted an immigration judge to issue a removal order in his absence, effectively mandating his deportation from the country. He also lacked valid work authorization during this period.
The situation escalated dramatically when the New Orleans Police Department not only recruited Temah but also entrusted him with a firearm. This action directly contravenes federal law, which prohibits individuals illegally present in the country from possessing weapons. The implications of arming someone under a deportation order are deeply unsettling.
A Department of Homeland Security official sharply criticized the department’s actions, questioning how a law enforcement agency could knowingly equip someone with a badge and a gun while aware of their illegal status. The official emphasized the felony nature of firearm possession for those not legally authorized to be in the country.
The New Orleans Police Department vehemently disputed the characterization of their actions, asserting they had verified Temah’s employment eligibility through the ICE’s E-Verify system. They maintain they received no prior notification of any ICE detainer and firmly deny knowingly violating the law.
The department clarified that New Orleans does not operate as a sanctuary city and that decisions regarding detainers fall under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff’s Office, not the police department. This creates a complex jurisdictional dispute at the heart of the matter.
Currently, Temah remains in ICE custody, awaiting removal proceedings. The case has ignited a fierce debate about vetting procedures, interagency communication, and the potential risks associated with employing individuals with uncertain immigration status within law enforcement.
