New York, NY—Today, Donald Trump announced that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem will be leaving the department at the end of this month. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla, will step into the role.
This announcement comes just days after Secretary Noem testified in multiple congressional hearings earlier this week regarding her handling of the Trump administration’s immigration agenda and federal immigration operations, including the reckless murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good at the hands of ICE agents in Minneapolis.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“Kristi Noem’s tenure was defined by controversy, questionable judgment, that led to the deployment of undertrained agents into local communities and the expansion of inhumane practices that devastated families across our country. Under her leadership, DHS doubled down on an agenda that prioritized militarized operations designed to meet Trump’s arbitrary deportation quotas rather than prioritize the safety of the American people. While her departure may close one turbulent chapter, it neither repairs the damage done nor guarantees a more law-abiding and humane DHS going forward. Removing one official will not be enough if the same dangerous policies and culture of impunity remain in place. The facts are clear: nearly two-thirds of Americans say ICE has gone too far in its immigration crackdown. It’s time to abolish ICE, reappropriate and claw back $170 billion from DHS and ensure all our government agencies are held accountable, transparent, and are fully compliant with our country’s laws.”