Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on March 9, 2024, that her department will intensify immigration enforcement, bolstered by increased funding from a domestic policy bill recently signed into law by President Donald Trump. During a news conference in Tampa, Florida, Noem stated, “Now that the president’s reconciliation bill, the ‘big, beautiful bill,’ has passed, we also have more resources.”
The new legislation allocates substantial funds to agencies under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). ICE is set to receive nearly $75 billion through 2029, with $45 billion designated for enhancing its detention facilities. In addition, CBP will receive more than $46 billion for the construction of a border wall.
Strengthening Immigration Policies
During the conference, Noem defended the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies, which have included attempts to eliminate birthright citizenship and deport migrants to countries other than their countries of origin. Recently, DHS has faced criticism for chaotic immigration raids in public areas and workplaces across Southern California.
Noem asserted, “Trump has a mandate from the American people to clean up our streets, to help make our communities safer.” Her comments come in light of a recent federal court ruling against DHS practices. On March 8, 2024, U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, appointed by former President Joe Biden, ruled that DHS had conducted immigration stops and arrests in Los Angeles without probable cause. The judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the department from detaining individuals based on race, ethnicity, spoken language, or even their presence at specific locations, such as bus stops.
When questioned about the judge’s ruling, Noem criticized the decision and stated, “We have all the right in the world to go out on the streets and to uphold the law and to do what we’re going to do, so none of our operations are going to change.” She dismissed the judge’s findings as “absolutely false.”
Response from the White House
The White House echoed Noem’s sentiments, condemning the federal judge’s order as an overreach of judicial authority. In a statement to CNN, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson remarked, “No federal judge has the authority to dictate immigration policy — that authority rests with Congress and the President.” She emphasized that enforcement operations require careful planning and execution, which are beyond the scope of judicial jurisdiction.
As the DHS embarks on this renewed approach to immigration enforcement, the implications for affected communities remain a matter of significant concern. The increased funding and commitment to deportations are likely to intensify discussions about immigration policy and its impact on individuals and families across the country.
