Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem expressed her disapproval of a federal judge’s recent decision that restricts certain immigration enforcement practices in California, labeling the ruling as “unconstitutional.” She characterized the judge as being “political,” suggesting that it’s not within their purview to make such rulings.
During her interview on CNN’s “Confederation Status,” Noem responded to US District Judge Mahm E. Hulipon’s order, who was appointed by former President Biden. This order included two temporary restraining orders intended to prohibit the targeting of individuals based on their race, language, or job status. It also mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must allow detainees to consult with legal counsel.
“This federal judge’s ruling is simply absurd. We’ve never conducted an operation like that,” Noem remarked.
She continued, “This is happening repeatedly across the nation. Judges are stepping into political realms. That’s not what they are supposed to do. I really hope this brings some dignity back to these federal judges.”
Noem maintained that the judge’s ruling was misguided, asserting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not discriminate against individuals based on race, language, or employment, and expressed confidence in their legal standing. “This is how law enforcement has operated over the years. We’re ensuring ICE is present and dealing with serious issues,” she stated. “We believe the judge was incorrect, and we could win on appeal since he didn’t follow the right criteria for targeting.”
Her comments came after an interview with Tom Homan, a former official in Trump’s administration, on Fox News. Homan pointed out that federal immigration agents do not necessarily require specific reasons to detain individuals quickly, stating that agents can make determinations based on observations related to a person’s location, job, appearance, and behavior.
“It’s essential for people to realize that ICE officers and border patrol agents don’t need probable cause to approach someone, temporarily detain them, and ask questions,” he noted during the Friday segment on “Fox & Friends.”
This statement follows recent protests in Los Angeles and nearby areas, spurred by a rise in ICE enforcement actions.
