The Department of Homeland Security said it launched a “law enforcement operation” at a New Orleans church, claiming the site housed people in the United States illegally.

DHS said migrants were able to remain at the church because city policy limits arrests at places of worship. The policy has drawn criticism from state and federal Republican lawmakers, who argue the city must cooperate in enforcing immigration laws.

New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick told The Associated Press last month that immigration is generally considered a civil, not criminal, matter. She said the city’s policy does not conflict with state or federal law.

Homeland Security countered that migrants with criminal histories have been allowed to go free, though the agency did not cite specific examples of viol

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