A New Orleans police leader came under heavy criticism after appearing to sidestep her agency’s responsibility to enforce certain immigration laws.

New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick was dragged for remarks she made at a press conference last week as she claimed that illegal immigration is actually a “civil issue” and that the police department “will not enforce civil law.”

Kirkpatrick’s comments came as she addressed the end of a consent decree between New Orleans and the federal government, which has been in place for 15 years.

“We have taken back our own ownership of our agency,” she said.

JUST IN: New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick is being RIPPED for falsely claiming, “being in the country illegally is a CIVIL issue…”

“…and we will not enforce civil law.” pic.twitter.com/iCiNebCTxa

FALSE: It’s a CRIME. How can you be the leader of a major…

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 25, 2025

Responding to questions from reporters, Kirkpatrick expressed that to “be in the country undocumented is (a) civil issue.”

“We will not enforce civil law, and so our support is to make sure they’re not going to get hurt, and our community is not in danger,” she added.

“Am I expecting them to come?” she said. “Yes, I’m expecting them to come. But can I tell you they’re coming Friday? No, I can’t tell you that.”

“If they call for help because they say they’re going to be hurt. We are going to be there in order to help anyone in danger. We are not enforcing — because we can’t,” claimed Kirkpatrick, who previously served as Oakland’s police chief from 2017 to 2020 before being fired by the Oakland Police Commission.

Louisiana Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill, reacting to the video of Kirkpatrick posted on social media, noted, “It is a state crime to obstruct ICE and federal immigration enforcement. Law enforcement should enforce the law.”

I’ve spoken to Chief Kirkpatrick about this. It is a State crime to obstruct ICE and federal immigration enforcement. Law enforcement should enforce the law.

— Attorney General Liz Murrill (@AGLizMurrill) November 25, 2025

Murrill expressed expectations that “all law enforcement and local officials will not obstruct federal authorities and will enforce state law to protect people and property.”

“I support ICE operations that ensure violent criminals are removed and ensure legal immigration policies are respected and followed,” she said in a separate statement.

Others on social media lambasted Kirkpatrick for her remarks.

“Illegally invading the country is a CRIME,” Chaya Raichik, known as “LibsOfTikTok” on X, posted. “This is who is in charge of the police.”

When you appoint a librarian grandma as police chief this is what you get!!

— Hunter Eagleman (@Hunter_Eagleman) November 25, 2025

Illegally crossing into the US is a federal crime.

Overstaying a visa is a civil offense.

Democrats conflate the two.

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) November 25, 2025

She has no business leading a police department.

— harparr (@harparr1) November 25, 2025

How do you run a major police department and still flunk Immigration Law 101?

— Salt T (@Salt_T1) November 25, 2025

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Frieda Powers

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Frieda@bizpacreview.com

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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