On Saturday, the U.S. Senate officially confirmed Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security under the new administration, positioning her as a central figure in President Donald Trump's cabinet as he embarks upon an ambitious immigration enforcement agenda.
According to Reuters, the Republican-led Senate voted 59 to 34 in favor of Noem's confirmation.
The former South Dakota governor aligns with Trump’s hardline stance on immigration. In fact, she described illegal immigration as an "invasion" during her confirmation hearing on January 17. “It is a war zone down there,” Noem stated.
Since returning to office on January 20, Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at enhancing border security and expediting deportations. These measures are part of his broader promise to tackle illegal immigration, a key issue in his campaign.
Noem will now lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a sprawling agency with 260,000 employees overseeing border security, deportations, legal immigration protocols, emergency response and cybersecurity, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard and Secret Service.
During her tenure as governor, Noem was keenly involved in border issues, despite her state’s northern location. In recent years, she even deployed South Dakota National Guard troops to Texas to support border security efforts there, including a controversial 2021 deployment backed by a Republican billionaire.
The U.S. Travel Association issued a statement welcoming Noem’s confirmation, expressing optimism about her appointment to the role.
Geoff Freeman, the organization’s president and CEO said of the new head of DHS, “She steps into this role at a critical time—when the opportunity to improve both travel security and efficiency has never been more important.”
He continued, “As we prepare to showcase America and welcome the world for major events over the next four years, it is paramount that DHS is prepared for its public safety responsibility as well as its duty to facilitate the lawful travel of millions to and within the country.
“In February, U.S. Travel’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel will release a bold vision to secure, modernize and improve American travel. DHS is a critical partner in executing this vision.
“We are confident that Secretary Noem will serve as a strong, innovative leader prioritizing the necessary resources and reforms to advance our shared priority to make the American travel experience the most secure and efficient in the world.”
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