U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegal immigrant from Cameroon who was a New Orleans Police Department recruit.

"I have spoken with Chief Kirkpatrick about this. She says this individual was checked through E-Verify, and the City of New Orleans has adopted new policies and is cooperating with @ICEgov," Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill (R) posted on X on Tuesday. "That said, I still have serious concerns about how this occurred and about the hiring process. I will continue to seek answers from all parties involved."

ICE told Fox News that the illegal immigrant, 46-year-old Larry Temah from Cameroon, had an active deportation order, no work authorization, and was illegally given a gun by NOPD.

"Temah was one week away from graduating the New Orleans PD academy when they arrested him," Fox News's Bill Melugin said Tuesday.

"Temah first entered the US legally in 2015 on a visitor’s visa and was granted conditional residency after marrying a US citizen in 2016," he added. "However, in 2022, his application for permanent residency was denied to due to fraud [sic].

"ICE says Temah was ordered to appear in immigration court three times, but never did, disregarding US laws, which resulted in an immigration judge ordering him deported in absentia, resulting in his active deportation order."

NOPD said in a statement on Tuesday, "NOPD verified Larry Temah’s work eligibility through ICE E-Verify before hiring and received no ICE detainer. Jail/detainer decisions are handled by the Sheriff’s Office. Any claim NOPD broke the law is false."

NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said last week, following his arrest, that the recruit had applied to join the police department in June 2025, Fox 8 reported. She said ICE told NOPD that an immigration judge had ordered the recruit’s removal from the U.S. on Dec. 5, 2025.

“There was nothing that was in the (personnel) packet that would have reason to believe that this person did not have legal status,” Kirkpatrick said.

Kirkpatrick added that the recruit had a valid driver’s license and Social Security Number, and had been in the U.S. for about 10 years.

“I have been told that he will not be given a bond hearing and that he will begin the process of a removal,” she said.

Kirkpatrick noted that the recruit surrendered to ICE without incident and had no criminal background when checked during his NOPD application process.

“At that time, he may still have had a legal status, I don’t know,” Kirkpatrick said. “(ICE has) offered to help us understand what to look for when it comes to immigration issues.”

The Department of Homeland Security told Fox News in a statement: “This illegal alien from Cameroon, Larry Temah, is not only breaking the law with every step he takes in this country illegally, but the New Orleans Police Department hired him and issued him a firearm - what kind of law enforcement department gives criminal illegal aliens guns and badges? It’s a FELONY for illegal aliens to even possess a firearm. Sanctuary cities like New Orleans ignore ICE detainers and are protecting illegal aliens at the expense of American citizens."