NEW ORLEANS — A federal immigration crackdown began Wednesday in New Orleans under an operation that a Homeland Security official said would target violent criminals, expanding the Trump administration’s sweeps that have unfolded in other U.S. cities.

The aim of the operation is to capture immigrants who were released after their arrests for crimes such as home invasion, armed robbery and rape, Homeland Security Department Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

Immigration officials have blanketed big cities and small towns across the nation since January while carrying out Republican President Donald Trump ‘s aggressive mass deportation efforts.

Federal agents have launched high-profile immigration crackdowns in cities including Chicago and Charlotte, North Carolina

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