Mar 04 2025 3 mins
Kristi Noem, the newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security, has made significant headlines in her first month in office. Confirmed by the Senate on January 25, 2025, with a vote of 59-34, Noem has swiftly implemented several key policies aligned with President Trump's agenda on border security and immigration enforcement[2][3][4].
Noem, who resigned as the Governor of South Dakota to take on her new role, has been instrumental in revitalizing the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) core mission of securing the homeland. One of her notable actions was riding with ICE agents on an operation in New York City, which resulted in the arrest of a ringleader from the Tren de Aragua gang. This operation underscores her commitment to arresting and removing criminal aliens from the country[1].
Under her leadership, ICE arrests of criminal aliens have doubled, and arrests of fugitives at large have tripled. Additionally, single-day border apprehensions have hit a 15-year low, with daily border encounters plummeting by 94% since President Trump took office. These statistics reflect the aggressive stance Noem and the Trump administration are taking on border security[1].
Noem has also made significant changes to immigration programs. She has returned the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program to its original temporary status, ending extensions granted by the previous administration for Venezuelan and Haitian TPS. This move aligns with the administration's goal of preventing the abuse and exploitation of these programs by illegal aliens[1].
Another key initiative is the enforcement of the Laken Riley Act, which mandates federal detention of illegal aliens accused of serious crimes such as theft, burglary, assaulting law enforcement, and crimes causing death or serious bodily injury. Noem has also deputized various federal and state agencies, including the Texas National Guard and the DEA, to assist in immigration operations[1].
In a controversial move, the administration has begun detaining illegal aliens, including violent criminals, at Guantanamo Bay. So far, 176 individuals have been returned to Venezuela, with 125 of them identified as violent criminals, including Tren de Aragua gang members and drug traffickers[1].
Noem has also launched a multimillion-dollar ad campaign urging illegal aliens to leave the U.S. voluntarily or face deportation with no chance of return. This campaign is part of a broader strategy to deter illegal immigration and enforce strict deportation policies[1].
On the domestic front, Noem ensured a safe and secure Super Bowl event in New Orleans, highlighting DHS's role in protecting major public events. Her commitment to government efficiency is also evident through her support of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) efforts to eliminate government waste and return power to the states[1].
Overall, Kristi Noem's tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security has been marked by a strong focus on border security, immigration enforcement, and the implementation of policies that align closely with President Trump's vision for a more secure America.
Noem, who resigned as the Governor of South Dakota to take on her new role, has been instrumental in revitalizing the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) core mission of securing the homeland. One of her notable actions was riding with ICE agents on an operation in New York City, which resulted in the arrest of a ringleader from the Tren de Aragua gang. This operation underscores her commitment to arresting and removing criminal aliens from the country[1].
Under her leadership, ICE arrests of criminal aliens have doubled, and arrests of fugitives at large have tripled. Additionally, single-day border apprehensions have hit a 15-year low, with daily border encounters plummeting by 94% since President Trump took office. These statistics reflect the aggressive stance Noem and the Trump administration are taking on border security[1].
Noem has also made significant changes to immigration programs. She has returned the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program to its original temporary status, ending extensions granted by the previous administration for Venezuelan and Haitian TPS. This move aligns with the administration's goal of preventing the abuse and exploitation of these programs by illegal aliens[1].
Another key initiative is the enforcement of the Laken Riley Act, which mandates federal detention of illegal aliens accused of serious crimes such as theft, burglary, assaulting law enforcement, and crimes causing death or serious bodily injury. Noem has also deputized various federal and state agencies, including the Texas National Guard and the DEA, to assist in immigration operations[1].
In a controversial move, the administration has begun detaining illegal aliens, including violent criminals, at Guantanamo Bay. So far, 176 individuals have been returned to Venezuela, with 125 of them identified as violent criminals, including Tren de Aragua gang members and drug traffickers[1].
Noem has also launched a multimillion-dollar ad campaign urging illegal aliens to leave the U.S. voluntarily or face deportation with no chance of return. This campaign is part of a broader strategy to deter illegal immigration and enforce strict deportation policies[1].
On the domestic front, Noem ensured a safe and secure Super Bowl event in New Orleans, highlighting DHS's role in protecting major public events. Her commitment to government efficiency is also evident through her support of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) efforts to eliminate government waste and return power to the states[1].
Overall, Kristi Noem's tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security has been marked by a strong focus on border security, immigration enforcement, and the implementation of policies that align closely with President Trump's vision for a more secure America.