Dramatic Decline in Border Crossings Under Noem's Homeland Security Leadership

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently marked her first 100 days in office, touting significant achievements in border security. According to DHS, daily border encounters have decreased by 93-95% since she and President Trump took office. Noem emphasized that migrants are turning back before reaching the border, with migration through Panama's Darien Gap reportedly down 99.99%. In a press release on May 5, 2025, Secretary Noem declared the border is now "the most secure in American history," attributing this to several initiatives. These include launching a multimillion-dollar international ad campaign warning illegal immigrants to leave voluntarily or face deportation, freezing funding to NGOs that facilitate illegal immigration, and partnering with HUD to prevent taxpayer dollars from housing illegal aliens. On May 6, Noem announced that DHS would request the Department of Justice bring alien smuggling charges and seek the death penalty against two Mexican national smugglers whose actions allegedly resulted in at least three deaths. The Secretary has been actively promoting the administration's immigration enforcement agenda. She recently held a press conference with families who lost loved ones to crimes committed by illegal immigrants, criticizing sanctuary city policies and specifically calling out Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for "shielding law breakers." Noem has also been working to reform other DHS components. She ended collective bargaining for Transportation Security Administration officers, terminated the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program, and redirected nearly a billion dollars to the Disaster Relief Fund. The Secretary has vowed to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency, stating she aims to "fix a broken system" and return power to state emergency management directors. On May 12, Noem faced protests while receiving an honorary doctorate at Dakota State University. That same day, DHS announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan. Noem's congressional testimony has been a significant part of her recent activities. On May 6, she appeared before a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee to discuss the administration's budget request and border security initiatives. She is scheduled to testify again on May 14 before the House Homeland Security Committee regarding the FY 2026 budget. House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green praised Noem's early work, stating, "Americans have witnessed a complete reversal of the historic public safety, national security, and humanitarian crisis at our borders" under her leadership. Trump's budget proposal would provide DHS with $43.8 billion in additional anticipated reconciliation funds. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.