The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is planning to deploy about 250 federal border agents to Louisiana and Mississippi aiming to arrest around 5,000 people in the two states, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday, citing documents and three people familiar.

The operation, which is being called “Swamp Sweep,” is expected to begin in early December with a focus on southeastern parts of the states, according to the Associated Press.

The report added the agents, who are expected to arrive in New Orleans on Friday to begin staging equipment and vehicles, will spread out across neighborhoods and commercial hubs stretching from New Orleans through Jefferson, St. Bernard and St. Tammany parishes and as far north as Baton Rouge.

DHS declined a Reuters request to comment on the operation.

See Full Page