Louisiana
‘Jesus was an immigrant,’ Louisiana activists say amid international immigration led population increase
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – New census numbers show international immigration was a major driving factor of population growth across the United States, contributing to Louisiana’s first population increase in years.
Nationally, immigration accounted for 84% of the nation’s population growth between last July and this July.
In Louisiana, the population grew by just under 10,000. The numbers reveal that about 23,000 more people moved into Louisiana from other countries than people from Louisiana to other countries.
Louisiana lost a net of 17,000 people to other American states.
On the day after Christmas, immigration activists gathered at the steps of City Hall to send a message to Louisiana leaders.
Rachel Taber with Unión Migrante served as an interpreter for Alfredo Salacar of Mexico.
“For all of the anti-immigrant politicians that are supposedly Christian, we want to remind them that Jesus himself was an immigrant,” Salacar said.
Immigration activists said Jesus didn’t come from the White House, a palace or a mansion along St. Charles Avenue; he was born in a stable as his migrant parents who were forced to flee wandered a foreign country.
Taber said many undocumented families who’ve settled in New Orleans had to flee political tyranny, violence and poverty.
“Louisiana is an incredible place everyone wants to visit because of our rich gumbo of people who made a life here: Cajuns, Sicilians, Germans, Irish, Spanish Islenos, Jewish people, resilient Africans and Indigenous people who kept their culture alive despite so much injustice. This recent wave from Central and Latin America is just the newest flavor to add to the family recipe,” Taber said.
Unión Migrante is fighting against racial profiling and the separation of families.
“That’s not a good use of our resources. We want to see families remaining together,” Taber said.
During Thursday (Dec. 26) night’s Christmas Posada and vigil, the local immigration activist group called on Louisiana leaders to take a more pro-immigration stance. At the Hispanic cultural celebration, they also demanded the federal oversight of the New Orleans Police Department continue.
“We’re not criminals. We are an asset,” said Yareli Andino. “If just one opportunity would be given, I think a lot of things could change.”
This holiday season, they are asking people to open their hearts and homes.
“We contribute, we work, we’re here. We rebuild this community after every hurricane comes and destroys it. We work in your hotels. We work in your homes. I personally work in construction, and I’ve been in the homes of many of these same elected officials,” said Salacar. “We know that threats are coming our way… We have a human right to migrate and it’s disgusting to see politicians not only making money off of immigrants but turning us into a political pawn for their own ambition.”
Taber said, “Taylor Swift weekend, the Super Bowl, and Mardi Gras would not be possible” without immigrants.
Members of Unión Migrante said Jesus’ life is an example of empathy, compassion, peace and humility, displaying a deep love towards our neighbors and those most vulnerable.
In a statement, Sgt. Kate Stegall said, “The Louisiana State Police regularly partners with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to enforce laws throughout Louisiana. Additionally, LSP Troopers are assigned to federal task forces, where they focus on enforcing federal laws. In these collaborative efforts, Troopers uphold a high standard of professionalism and ensure respectful and effective interactions.”
In a ride-along earlier this month, ICE told Fox 8 these alleged raids and indiscriminate sweeps couldn’t be further from the truth.
ICE representatives said the federal agency is prioritizing criminals and those who pose a threat to national security.
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The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Oct. 30, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Oct. 30 drawing
3-9-7
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Oct. 30 drawing
6-7-1-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from Oct. 30 drawing
1-3-6-0-7
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.
By mail, follow these instructions:
- Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
- Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
- Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
- Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.
Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:
Louisiana Lottery Headquarters
555 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:
555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.
When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
- Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Louisiana
How many people in Louisiana could lose SNAP? What to know about state’s food stamp program
Video of Akron-Canton Foodbank preparing to help SNAP recipients
Colleen Benson, senior director of development at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, reassures families that it is ready to provide food resources.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the most effective anti-hunger program in the U.S., reaching around 41 million people in 2024, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).
This program plays a critical role in reducing poverty, improving health and economic outcomes, supporting people who are paid low wages, as well as serving as the first line of defense against hunger during economic downturns.
In Louisiana, hundreds of thousands of residents rely on SNAP, with more than 16% of the state’s population receiving SNAP benefits, according to the USDA.
Who all benefits from SNAP? What to know in Louisiana
SNAP helped approximately 41,697,500 people in the U.S., which is 12% of the total population, or one in eight citizens, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).
In 2024, SNAP helped 847,100 people in Louisiana, or 18% of the state’s population, which equates to one in five residents, according to the CBPP.
In Louisiana, over 69% of SNAP participants are in families with children, over 37% are in families with members who are older adults or are disabled, and over 35% are in working families, says the CBPP.
Majority of SNAP participants in the state have incomes below the poverty line, with 41% having income at or below 50% of the poverty line, 44% having income between 51 to 100% of the poverty line and 15% having income 100% above the poverty line, according to CBPP’s analysis of USDA data.
Many households in Louisiana struggle to put food on the table, with 16.2% of households living in food insecurity, 18.9% of the population living below the poverty line, 25% of children living in families below the poverty line and 14.2% of older adults living below the poverty line, according to the CBPP.
What benefits do SNAP participants receive in Louisiana?
SNAP benefits are targeted according to need, with very low-income households receiving more in benefits than households closer to the povery line because they need more assistance affording adequate food.
In Louisiana, SNAP participants received approximately $1.9 billion in benefits in 2024, according to the CBPP.
These were the average monthly SNAP benefits for the fiscal year 2022 in Louisiana, according to a data analysis by CBPP:
- All households: $336
- Households with children: $551
- Working households: $418
- Households with older adults: $150
- Households with non-elderly disabled individuals: $276
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
Mechanic starting a new career at age 60 has some advice
Mike Witt turned 60 the same month he graduated from a Ford program that seeks to produce new mechanics with the help of local partners.
CareerMinds, a global outplacement and career management partner, carried out a survey of 3,002 workers based on career development opportunities.
CareerMinds found that upskilling has become less of an optional, extra step and more of a career essential.
Taking this into account, CareerMinds developed a map that highlights the company in each state where workers have the most opportunities for upskilling and career progression.
Ochsner Health said to be the best company in Louisiana for career development. What to know
In CareerMinds’ survey, Louisiana residents voted Ochsner Health as the company they would most like to work for.
The study found that healthcare companies are sought-after, as states with major medical systems saw increased interest in healthcare employers and upskilling within medicine.
This year, Ochsner Health was named on Fortune Magazine’s “Best Workplaces in Health Care” list, with 82% of employees saying the company is a great place to work, according to Great Place to Work.
Additionally, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Ochsner as the number one hospital in Louisiana for 14 censecutive years and Ochsner Children’s as the number one hospital for children for four consecutive years, according to Great Place to Work.
Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, delivering care at its 46 hospitals and over 370 health and urgent care centers, says Great Place to Work.
The best companies for career development for 2025 in each state according to CareerMinds
- Alabama: Mercedez-Benz U.S. International
- Alaska: Northern Alaska Tour Company
- Arizona: Intel Corporation
- Arkansas: Walmart
- California: Kaiser Permanente
- Colorado: Lockheed Martin
- Connecticut: Hartford HealthCare
- Delaware: DuPont
- Florida: Royal Caribbean Group
- Georgia: Coca-Cola
- Hawaii: Hawaiin Airlines
- Idaho: Micron Technology
- Illinois: United Airlines
- Indiana: Cummins
- Iowa: Principal Financial Group
- Kansas: Garmin
- Kentucky: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
- Louisiana: Ochsner Health
- Maine: L.L. Bean
- Maryland: Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Massachusetts: Boston Scientific
- Michigan: General Motors
- Minnesota: Target Corporation
- Mississippi: Peavey Electronics
- Missouri: Boeing Defense, Space & Security
- Montana: Glacier Bancorp
- Nebraska: Union Pacific Railroad
- Nevada: MGM Resorts International
- New Hampshire: Fidelity Investments
- New Jersey: Merck & Co.
- New Mexico: Intel Corporation
- New York: Pfizer
- North Carolina: Bank of America
- North Dakota: Bobcat Company
- Ohio: Procter & Gamble
- Oklahoma: Devon Energy
- Oregon: Nike
- Pennsylvania: Hershey Company
- Rhode Island: Brown University
- South Carolina: Prisma Health
- South Dakota: First PREMIER Bank/ PREMIER Bankcard
- Tennessee: Venderbilt University Medical Center
- Texas: AT&T
- Utah: Intermountain Health
- Vermont: GlobalFoundries
- Virginia: Capital One
- Washington: Amazon
- West Virginia: CAMC Health System
- Wisconsin: Harley-Davidson
- Wyoming: Wyoming Medical Center
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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