Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem participated in a ride-along with ICE agents in Arizona and spoke at a border security convention on Tuesday.
Noem's ride-along included three deportation orders being enforced. At the convention, she praised President Donald Trump’s immigration orders and said there would be added efforts toward lowering border crossings.
“I remember one of our Border Patrol officers and agents saying to me, ‘listen, there’s just no consequences for crossing our border. And without consequences there is no enforcement and there is no law. The law doesn’t matter,'” Noem said.
Later in the afternoon, she spoke at the Border Security Expo with Trump's border "czar," Tom Homan. She praised Trump's executive orders and efforts of Border Patrol agencies.
“President Trump has deported dozens of known terrorists already through all of your work,” Noem said. “Hundreds and hundreds of TDA members and MS-13 members and gang members he has declared foreign terrorist organizations."
Noem cited February’s record low number of border crossings. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reported a 94% decrease in border crossings compared to last year.
“We had the lowest number of encounters in the history of this country,” Noem said. “That is incredible to see that amount of a turnaround, in that short amount of time. And that’s because of all of you in this room.”
U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) criticized Noem’s social media post with the ICE agents and called for a stop of deportations without due process in a post on X. Other local organizations, including immigrants rights group Living United for Change in Arizona, or LUCHA, have protested the deportations.
Last month, the Department of Homeland Security launched added a self-deportation feature the CBP app. Noem said the executive administration will further enforce border policy through technology.
“Biometrics, DNA testing and being much more efficient working to give everyone more authorities that they need to take action in every single interdiction that we have,” Noem said.
Noem said the U.S.-Mexico border wall will be extended. There are 85 miles contracted and fully funded to extend the border. She said the administration will continue to work with partners to continue construction.
“There has to be consequences for breaking our laws, and there has to be consequences, and there has to be enforcement and prosecution,” Noem said.
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