Related videos:
The United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, reinforced the government's tough stance on immigration, as communicated by Donald Trump, by posting two statements on X where she defended her department's actions and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present to lawmakers the threats that, according to her, the country faces.
In her first message, Noem stated that "under President Trump's leadership" the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is dismantling transnational organized crime, halting the influx of deadly drugs, curbing illegal immigration, restoring "sanity" to the immigration system, and protecting critical infrastructure in the United States from cyberattacks.
"The American people rely on the DHS to always remain vigilant, agile, and responsive. We will never yield, we will never falter, and we will never back down," he added.
A second tweet accompanied his message, this time expressing gratitude for having appeared before the House Committee on National Security.
"The DHS will continue to fulfill President Trump's promise to make America safe again," he emphasized.
A message aligned with a day marked by controversy
Noem's posts come after a particularly tense hearing in Congress, where the official appeared before a subcommittee to discuss global threats to national security.
During her speech, she reignited the immigration debate by stating that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol "are doing God's work", a statement publicly praised by ICE.
Noem lashed out at those who criticize deportations and immigration control operations, accusing them of "defending individuals who break the law" and putting agents at risk.
He described the officers as "honorable men and women" who protect their communities and reproached the lawmakers who oppose the government's immigration policies.
ICE supported its stance by disseminating figures about an alleged 8,000% increase in death threats against its agents and over 1,000% in assaults, arguments that the administration uses to justify an increasingly harsh rhetoric.
Tense audience and protests inside the Congress
According to Associated Press, the session before the National Security Committee quickly turned into a political confrontation.
While Trump's allies praised Noem for "keeping the country safe," Democratic lawmakers questioned the legality and humanitarian impact of the measures, denouncing abuses of power and human rights violations.
"What keeps me up at night is not knowing who is inside this country and what their intentions are," the official stated during the session of the House of Representatives.
Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson directly demanded his resignation: "Do a real service to the country and resign," he stated.
The audience was interrupted several times by protesters shouting "Shame on you!" at Noem, who had to leave the venue escorted before continuing her closed-door appearance.
Immigration policies under Trump return to the center of the debate
Since his return to power in January, Trump has made immigration one of the central focuses of his administration: mass deportations, the expansion of the border wall, and an increase in immigration enforcement personnel are key components of his strategy.
According to AP, detention centers now have higher occupancy rates, and deportations of individuals sent to countries where they were not born have been reported.
During the hearing in Congress, the case of Kilmar Abrego García came to light, a migrant who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, whose release had been ordered by a federal judge.
The secretary avoided referring to the incident, reiterating that the country is "restoring immigration order and putting an end to years of border neglect."
The session concluded without reaching any agreements, but with an even more pronounced polarization regarding the country's immigration direction.
In that context, Noem's tweets aim to reinforce her alignment with Trump's agenda, emphasizing a message of strength that contrasts with the harsh criticism and confrontational atmosphere that characterized her time in Congress.
Filed under: