ICE arrests New Orleans police recruit revealed to be illegal immigrant

An illegal immigrant who was issued a firearm as a New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) recruit and was arrested last month has been identified as Larry Temah, a 46-year-old illegal alien from Cameroon.

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Temah was actively recruited by the NOPD and issued a firearm, despite federal authorities stating that he was not legally permitted to possess a weapon and lacked valid work authorization, raising concerns over the department’s hiring practices and internal vetting. Under federal law, illegal aliens are prohibited from possessing firearms.

Federal officials said Temah first entered the United States legally in 2015 on a visitor visa and in 2016 was granted conditional residency after marrying a US citizen. However, in 2022, Temah’s application for permanent residency was denied due to fraud.

According to ICE, Temah was ordered to appear in immigration court on three separate occasions but repeatedly failed to comply. As a result, an immigration judge ordered him removed from the United States in absentia. Despite that removal order, ICE says Temah remained in the country illegally and did not have authorization to work. Temah is now in ICE custody and will remain detained pending removal proceedings.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the NOPD for hiring and arming Temah. “This illegal alien from Cameroon, Larry Temah, is not only breaking the law with every step he takes in this country illegally, but the New Orleans Police Department hired him and issued him a firearm. What kind of law enforcement department gives criminal illegal aliens guns and badges?” McLaughlin added, “It’s a felony for illegal aliens to even possess a firearm. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is restoring law and order. Criminal illegal aliens have no place in our communities, especially on our police forces.”

Before Temah was publicly identified, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the department was “blindsided” by ICE’s arrest of the recruit, claiming Temah passed background checks and was cleared through the E-Verify employment verification system. Kirkpatrick noted that he presented a valid driver’s license, a Social Security number, and had no criminal history flagged during the hiring process.