Mar 06 2025 3 mins
Kristi Noem, the newly confirmed Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, has been making significant headlines in her first month in office. Confirmed by the Senate on January 25, 2025, with a 59-34 vote, Noem has quickly immersed herself in the department's core mission of securing the homeland.
One of her early actions was to ride with Border Patrol agents on the southern border, a move that underscored her commitment to border security, a key priority for President Trump's administration. This hands-on approach is part of her broader strategy to empower ICE, Border Patrol, and the Coast Guard to effectively do their jobs[3].
Under Noem's leadership, the Department of Homeland Security has seen a significant increase in enforcement activities. ICE arrests of criminal aliens have doubled, and arrests of fugitives at large have tripled since she took office. Single-day border apprehensions have hit a 15-year low, plummeting 94% since President Trump took office[4].
Noem has also been instrumental in reshaping immigration policies. She rescinded the previous administration's extensions of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and Venezuela, returning the program to its original temporary status. This move aligns with the administration's goal of enforcing stricter immigration laws[4].
In addition to these policy changes, Noem has deputized various federal and state agencies, including the Texas National Guard, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and special agents from the State Department, to assist in immigration operations. This multi-agency approach is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of immigration enforcement[4].
The administration has also begun detaining illegal aliens, including violent criminals, at Guantanamo Bay. Already, 176 individuals have been returned to Venezuela, with 125 of them identified as violent criminals such as Tren de Aragua gang members and drug traffickers[4].
Noem has 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 effort to deter illegal immigration and enforce the administration's deportation policies[4].
In her first month, Noem has also ensured a safe and secure Super Bowl, highlighting the department's capability to handle large-scale events. Her commitment to government efficiency is evident through her support of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) efforts, which aim to eliminate government waste and return DHS to its core mission of protecting the homeland[4].
Noem's tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security has been marked by a strong focus on border security, immigration enforcement, and the efficient operation of the department. Her actions reflect the administration's hard-line stance on immigration and its commitment to making significant changes in how the Department of Homeland Security functions.
One of her early actions was to ride with Border Patrol agents on the southern border, a move that underscored her commitment to border security, a key priority for President Trump's administration. This hands-on approach is part of her broader strategy to empower ICE, Border Patrol, and the Coast Guard to effectively do their jobs[3].
Under Noem's leadership, the Department of Homeland Security has seen a significant increase in enforcement activities. ICE arrests of criminal aliens have doubled, and arrests of fugitives at large have tripled since she took office. Single-day border apprehensions have hit a 15-year low, plummeting 94% since President Trump took office[4].
Noem has also been instrumental in reshaping immigration policies. She rescinded the previous administration's extensions of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and Venezuela, returning the program to its original temporary status. This move aligns with the administration's goal of enforcing stricter immigration laws[4].
In addition to these policy changes, Noem has deputized various federal and state agencies, including the Texas National Guard, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and special agents from the State Department, to assist in immigration operations. This multi-agency approach is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of immigration enforcement[4].
The administration has also begun detaining illegal aliens, including violent criminals, at Guantanamo Bay. Already, 176 individuals have been returned to Venezuela, with 125 of them identified as violent criminals such as Tren de Aragua gang members and drug traffickers[4].
Noem has 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 effort to deter illegal immigration and enforce the administration's deportation policies[4].
In her first month, Noem has also ensured a safe and secure Super Bowl, highlighting the department's capability to handle large-scale events. Her commitment to government efficiency is evident through her support of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) efforts, which aim to eliminate government waste and return DHS to its core mission of protecting the homeland[4].
Noem's tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security has been marked by a strong focus on border security, immigration enforcement, and the efficient operation of the department. Her actions reflect the administration's hard-line stance on immigration and its commitment to making significant changes in how the Department of Homeland Security functions.