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Kristi Noem, former governor of South Dakota, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Homeland Security Secretary in a 59-34 vote. A staunch ally of President Donald Trump, Noem supports his hardline stance on immigration, describing illegal immigration as an "invasion" during her confirmation hearing. She will lead the 260,000-employee Department of Homeland Security (DHS), overseeing border security, deportations, emergency response, and cybersecurity.
Trump's administration has prioritized stricter immigration policies, issuing executive orders to enhance border security and enforce deportations since his January 20 return to the presidency. Noem's appointment aligns with Trump's agenda, which includes tackling illegal immigration and addressing gaps in border enforcement.
Noem brings experience from deploying South Dakota National Guard troops to assist Texas with border security, including a controversial 2021 deployment funded by a Republican billionaire. During her hearing, she referred to the U.S.-Mexico border as a "war zone." While addressing concerns about undocumented agricultural workers, Noem emphasized focusing on criminal offenders and individuals with deportation orders but did not commit to safeguarding farm workers.
Records show Noem's family ranch has employed temporary agricultural workers since 2015, raising questions from conservative groups about guest visa programs potentially affecting wages and technological innovation in farming.
As Noem takes charge of DHS, her leadership will be critical in implementing Trump’s immigration crackdown, which continues to shape the administration’s policies on border security and deportation. Her confirmation highlights the administration's commitment to its immigration goals amid ongoing national debates.
