Federal Border Patrol agents are poised to launch immigration sweeps in the New Orleans area, according to people familiar with the plans and local law enforcement officials, spurring anxiety among immigrants and blowback from some Democratic politicians.

Details, including the size of the Border Patrol deployment, where in the New Orleans area agents might operate and the timeline of their arrival, have not been finalized, according to multiple people briefed on the plans who requested anonymity because the operation has not been publicly announced.

Still, signs that the metro area could see an infusion of federal agents as soon as late this week spurred frenzied reaction in recent days from officials, advocates and immigration attorneys. One construction company owner has told Hispan

See Full Page