An illegal alien from Cameroon was arrested just a week before he was scheduled to graduate from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) academy.
The arrest of 46-year-old illegal alien Larry Temah occurred on Jan. 28, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“Temah originally entered the United States legally in 2015 on a visitor visa,” DHS announced in a press release. “In 2016, he was granted conditional residency after marrying a U.S. citizen. However, in 2022, his application for permanent residency was denied due to fraud.”
“Temah was ordered to appear in immigration court three times but continued to disregard U.S. law by not showing up, resulting in the immigration judge ordering him removed in absentia. He did not have valid work authorization,” the press release continued.
Criminal illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our communities, especially on our police forces.
Larry Temah, a 46-year-old illegal alien from Cameroon, was recruited to the New Orleans Police Department and issued a gun despite the fact that he could not legally carry a weapon as an… pic.twitter.com/Jd12XAAc9B
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) February 3, 2026
His arrest came days after he was issued a gun by the NOPD, much to the annoyance of DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
“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?” she said in a statement.
“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,” she added.
In its press release, DHS also slammed New Orleans over its sanctuary city status, noting that the city is choosing to “ignore ICE detainers and are protecting illegal aliens at the expense of American citizens.”
The NOPD responded to Temah’s arrest by issuing a statement falsely claiming that New Orleans isn’t a sanctuary city.
“New Orleans is not a sanctuary city, and NOPD does not control jail operations or detainer decisions, which fall under the Sheriff’s Office,” NOPD spokesperson Reese Harper told Nola.com. “Any claim that NOPD knowingly violated the law is false.”
Harper added that Temah’s hiring was approved after he passed an E-Verify background check. E-Verify is managed by DHS.
The NOPD also received some support from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, a Republican:
I have spoken with Chief Kirkpatrick about this. She says this individual was checked through E-Verify, and the City of New Orleans has adopted new policies and is cooperating with @ICEgov. That said, I still have serious concerns about how this occurred and about the hiring… https://t.co/dnTk3xHFaC
— Attorney General Liz Murrill (@AGLizMurrill) February 4, 2026
“I have spoken with Chief Kirkpatrick about this. She says this individual was checked through E-Verify, and the City of New Orleans has adopted new policies and is cooperating with ICE,” she said in a statement.
“That said, I still have serious concerns about how this occurred and about the hiring process. I will continue to seek answers from all parties involved,” she added.
The public, meanwhile, was also full of complaints, as well as requests for the people who’red hired Temah to be arrested as well.
Look:
Whoever hired him didn’t do their part by conducting a proper background check, so they deserve to be arrested, or fired at a minimum.
— Richard Cranium (@DickCraniumU812) February 3, 2026
Criminal illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our communities, especially ARMED and wearing blue. Thank you @DHSgov and @Sec_Noem for cleaning house. Keep it going!
— Justice 🇺🇸 (@selfdeportNOW) February 3, 2026
After the terrorist attack in New Orleans just a year ago, you’d think their police department would at least try to vet people before handing them a firearm and a lot of power. Unacceptable incompetence.
— ✝️ Shawna Nonna 🇺🇸 (@ShawnaNonna777) February 3, 2026
Either the New Orleans Police Department DID NOT fully check into this individual’s background, or they deliberately IGNORED his background!
Either scenario is UNACCEPTABLE, and the police chief needs to find out how such a lack of due diligence occurred!— Y AV (@yav205869) February 4, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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