NEW ORLEANS —

Amid growing fears in the New Orleans community and surrounding areas from a large immigration crackdown operation, the Archbishop of New Orleans is exempting certain people within the Catholic community from Mass.

According to a letter issued by Archbishop Gregory Aymond, he is granting dispensation from the obligation to attend mass for those in the Catholic community who are afraid to participate due to the Catahoula Crunch immigration crackdown. Advertisement

The operation has brought 250 border patrol agents to the New Orleans area, with a goal of detaining 5,000 immigrants.

Aymond's letter comes after the Baton Rouge Archdiocese announced dispensation for Catholics in Baton Rouge-area communities.

Aymond's letter read:

"To All Clergy, Religious, and Laity of the

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