Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has made several significant moves in recent days, showcasing the Trump administration's hardline approach on immigration enforcement and border security.
On May 7, 2025, Secretary Noem traveled to Springfield, Illinois, to directly confront Governor JB Pritzker over the state's sanctuary policies. Speaking alongside families affected by crimes allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants, Noem criticized Illinois' TRUST Act, which prevents local law enforcement from detaining individuals solely based on immigration status. She specifically highlighted the case of Emma Shafer, who was allegedly stabbed in 2023, during her press conference at Shafer's home.
In a more dramatic development on May 6, Noem announced that the Department of Homeland Security will request the Department of Justice pursue the death penalty against two Mexican nationals accused of operating a human smuggling operation that resulted in at least three deaths. This decision followed an incident on May 5 when a panga-style boat capsized off the coast of San Diego, killing three Indian nationals with seven others still missing. Noem's request represents an unusually aggressive legal approach, based on her review of both the Immigration and Naturalization Act and the Federal Death Penalty Act.
The Secretary has also been active on Capitol Hill. On May 6, she testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security regarding the agency's budgetary needs and strategic priorities for Fiscal Year 2026. During her testimony, Noem claimed that under her leadership, "the Department has established the most secure border in our nation's history."
Additionally, Chairman Mark Green of the House Committee on Homeland Security announced that Secretary Noem will appear before the committee on May 14 to discuss the FY 2026 DHS budget. In his announcement, Green praised Noem for reversing what he described as "chaos" left by the previous administration.
On May 5, marking her first 100 days in office, DHS released a statement highlighting Noem's accomplishments, claiming border encounters have decreased by 95% since she took office. Other notable actions include launching a multimillion-dollar campaign urging illegal immigrants to leave voluntarily, freezing funding to organizations that facilitate illegal immigration, and ending collective bargaining for Transportation Security Administration officers.
Prior to joining President Trump's cabinet, Noem served as South Dakota's 33rd Governor and the state's first female governor. She previously represented South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives and served in the state legislature.
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