Kristi Noem on Trump Administration's First-Year Immigration and Security Achievements

Homeland Security Mission and Partnerships

• 🤝 Kristi Noem expresses gratitude for partnerships in fulfilling the homeland security mission, acknowledging the 22 years of service by the organization's members.
• 💡 She highlights the importance of a secure homeland for American prosperity and the thriving of industry, drawing from her own experience as a farmer, rancher, and business owner.

Restoring DHS and Border Security Under Trump

• 🇺🇸 Noem states that President Trump's administration prioritized getting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) back on track after what she describes as the Biden administration pulling DHS away from its core missions.
• 🚫 The previous administration's "disastrous open border policies" are blamed for facilitating an "invasion" that brought crime, violence, drugs, and terrorists.
• ✅ Under President Trump, DHS claims to have achieved the "most secure border in American history," with border crossings down over 93% year-over-year and zero illegal aliens released into streets for seven consecutive months.
• ✈️ Approximately 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily left the country through communication efforts, facilitated plane tickets, and $1,000 reimbursements.

Counter-Terrorism and Drug Interdiction Efforts

• ✈️ ICE arrested and removed over 1,100 known or suspected terrorists from the terrorist watch list between January and November.
• 🤝 DHS, alongside the Attorney General and international partners, is cracking down on cartels and transnational criminal organizations through homeland security task forces.
• 💊 Since late August, the Homeland Security Task Force has seized over 461 metric tons of drugs and millions of dollars in assets, including nearly 6,000 pounds of meth at a San Diego port of entry.
• 📉 Fentanyl traffic across the southern border is down 56%, and the US Coast Guard has seized enough cocaine to kill 177 million Americans since January.

Economic Impact and International Agreements

• 💼 Americans are getting back to work, with 100% of new jobs going to American-born workers in the same period under President Trump, compared to 88% to foreign-born workers under Biden.
• 💰 CBP has collected $1 billion in tariffs, taxes, and fees, used as a negotiating tactic to encourage investment in America and adherence to safety protocols.
• 🌍 DHS has secured over 30 international agreements since January, enhancing security operations and travel, including biometric data sharing partnerships that have identified nearly 100 known and suspected terrorists.

Arctic Security and Industry Collaboration

• 🚢 The administration is acting on being an Arctic nation, revamping the shipbuilding industry and revitalizing the Coast Guard, with efforts like the "ICE Pact" for icebreaker collaboration with Canada and Finland.
• 🛠️ A fellowship program is funding American workers to travel to Finland to learn shipbuilding expertise and bring it back to the U.S.
• 💰 DHS has reviewed over 9,000 contracts, saving over $13 billion by renegotiating them to ensure accountability to taxpayers and efficient deployment of resources.
• 💡 Noem emphasizes the need for industry's technology, wisdom, and agility to meet evolving threats and build an America that upholds its founding principles.

Future Threats and Technological Needs

• 🛰️ In response to a question about AI-enabled surveillance, Noem acknowledges the need for reliable technology that provides accurate information to keep people safe, referencing the border wall project which includes technology and surveillance equipment.
• 🚀 Contracts are being allocated to deploy and install border systems as quickly as possible, utilizing OB3 funding.