Kristi Noem, former governor of South Dakota, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Saturday as Homeland Security secretary under President Donald Trump. Noem, who aligns with Trump’s strict immigration policies, referred to illegal immigration as an “invasion” during her confirmation hearing. She was confirmed by a vote of 59 to 34.
Noem will lead the 260,000-employee Department of Homeland Security, overseeing border security, deportations, cybersecurity, and emergency response. Her appointment comes as Trump enacts executive orders aimed at tightening immigration enforcement and border security.
During her confirmation hearing, Noem pledged to prioritize deportations of criminal offenders and those with final orders but did not commit to protecting agricultural workers without legal status. Notably, Noem’s family ranch has employed temporary farm workers under guest visa programs, a practice some conservatives criticize for undercutting wages.
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