Federal agents have detained 250 people since U.S. Border Patrol launched an immigration enforcement operation in Louisiana eight days ago, the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday.

The statement, which came as Border Patrol expands its footprint outside the New Orleans metro and into the Baton Rouge region, marks the first formal tally of arrests federal officials have provided since the operation started.

It comes amid conflicting reports from administration officials and agents on the ground about the scope of arrests so far in the operation federal officials are calling "Catahoula Crunch."

Fox News reported Thursday that Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who is running the Louisiana operation, told the outlet that the operation had arrested 150 people. Last w

See Full Page