South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a Republican who is reportedly nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to oversee the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has previously chosen to accept refugee resettlement in her state. was.
In 2019, then-President Trump implemented Executive order giving states greater control over refugee resettlement.
The order requires state and local officials to “affirmatively opt-in” if they wish to take in new refugees; According to to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI). This was the first time states were given that option.
According to MPI, 42 governors and 100 mayors participated in the program. At least 19 governors, including Noem, were Republicans. (Related: Heart: Kristi Noem shoots her dog – and herself at her feet)
she, letter Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed to participate in the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). She said the consent expires on December 31, 2020 and that the consent can be withdrawn at any time.
Conservatives and Trump supporters online expressed disapproval of Trump's reported appointment as DHS secretary, pointing to his record on refugees and women's sports. DHS oversees Border Patrol, which falls under the jurisdiction of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Blaze senior editor Daniel Horowitz has argued that President Trump's Tom Homan should become DHS secretary. Homan was named President Trump's “border czar” on Sunday night.
“I don't understand why Mr. Homan won't become DHS Secretary himself,” Horowitz tweeted. “Nomu has very close ties to special interests that always want us to add punches to internal enforcement.”
She added that she chose to participate in the refugee resettlement program.
I don't know why Homan doesn't make himself DHS Secretary. Noem is very close to the kind of special interests that always want us to punch in on internal policing. And when President Trump abolished refugee resettlement except when states consent, she went out of her way to say:
— Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) November 12, 2024
Trump can own CNN and satisfy his base by retracting this Kristi Noem case.
I'm just saying it's a good deal.
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 12, 2024
“Kristi Noem refused to sign a bill that would protect girls in sports and cowered in the face of corrupt business interests,” Federalist CEO Sean Davis wrote online. “What President Trump needs is a warrior to run the Department of Homeland Security and protect our borders, not a coward. Nomu is a proven coward.”
Kristi Noem cowered before corrupt business interests when she refused to sign a bill that would protect girls in sports. President Trump needs a warrior to run DHS and protect our borders, not a coward. Nomu is a proven coward. https://t.co/EmvqwfgmFX
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) November 12, 2024
Noem and Bessent's choices are quite worrying. . . https://t.co/9fKwExNl4j
— Ned Ryun (@nedryun) November 12, 2024
Some argued that Noem lacked the law enforcement experience needed to be DHS secretary.
“Honestly, I don’t understand it,” Breaking Point’s Sagar Enjeti tweeted on Tuesday. Mr. Enjeti previously worked as a White House correspondent for the Daily Caller. “DHS is the largest law enforcement agency in the United States, and you will be the public face of mass deportations, so you need a solid track record of absolutely fighting back against lies in the media.”
To be honest I don't know
DHS is the largest law enforcement agency in the United States. You will be the public face of mass deportations, so you need a solid track record of absolutely fighting back against media lies. https://t.co/flWY0TXE36
— Sagar Enjeti (@esaagar) November 12, 2024
Noem before becoming governor of South Dakota provided Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018. She previously served in the South Dakota House of Representatives.
Noem has no law enforcement experience.
In February, she ordered the South Dakota National Guard. member It's going to the southern border to help Texas build a barrier amid a battle between the state and the Biden-Harris administration over border security. In July, she directed more troops to the southern border.
The Supreme Court ruled in January that the federal government could cut the state's razor wire fence, but Texas continued to install border wire.
.@GregAbbott_TX Texas is right to use its constitutional authority to defend itself.
The Biden administration is creating a national security crisis and putting Americans at risk. Their failure constitutes an unconstitutional dereliction of duty.
South Dakota is proud of… https://t.co/s4NMyvyu3Y
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) January 24, 2024
Kristi Noem simply does not have the expertise to be Secretary of Homeland Security during this border crisis and Secret Service failure.
She has never worked in law enforcement. I have never worked for any of these agencies. And I have no idea how things should go.
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) November 12, 2024
I really like most of these Cabinet picks, but I have to say I'm scratching my jaw at Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security.
Wouldn't it be better to choose someone with a background in law enforcement or national security? pic.twitter.com/z1UtNHhgOZ
— Jackie Chia ⚖️ (@Fair_and_Biased) November 12, 2024
Why not pick someone with a military background or some sort of intelligence background to be Secretary of Homeland Security? Kristi Noem is the worst nomination so far.
— Right Wing Dad🇺🇸 (@RightWingDad) November 12, 2024
Noem's spokesperson directed callers to the following contact information: newsweek An article about the governor's stance on immigration that asked for comment.
“I take very seriously my duty to protect the safety, security, and prosperity of our people,” Noem said in the letter. He added that policies enacted by President Trump's White House and the State Department have provided “much-needed assurance about the integrity” of USRAP.
The state's refugee resettlement agency is South Dakota Lutheran Social Services.
In 2014, South Dakota accepted 495 refugees. data from Lutheran Social Services (LSS). In 2019, that number fell to 130, and LSS predicted 60 refugees in 2020. (Related: Kristi Noem vacillates over bill to ban biological males from women's sports)
A government that does not value the safety of its citizens is negligent and inhumane.
When the federal government fails to meet its obligations to the people, the responsibility lies with the states.
The SD has been a leader in strengthening border security. pic.twitter.com/L3VvCiAnZp
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) February 1, 2024
playing cards with cap The cap on refugees for fiscal year 2020 is 18,000, down from his previous cap of 30,000. President Obama's final refugee admission limit was 85,000.
LSS President Betty Oldenkamp said she began working with Noem's South Dakota Public Broadcasting after the Trump executive order was announced. reported According to the newspaper, Minnehaha County was the only county in the state where refugees were directly resettled.
Bishop Constanze Hagmeyer of the South Dakota Synod letter He thanked Noem for participating in the refugee program. The South Dakota Synod is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Although Noem chose to join the USRP, South Dakota was one of four states that refused to resettle Afghan refugees in 2021. LSS determines it does not have the resources to take in Afghan refugees, the Associated Press reports reported.
“We had very high concerns about whether we would be able to provide the level of support for a successful integration,” said Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen, chief operating officer at LSS. (Related article: 'Subsistence Circles': How the Biden-Harris NGO network is fueling the immigration crisis)
Noem also expressed concern about the possibility of accepting refugees from Afghanistan.
“I don't have confidence in (the Biden administration) today because they haven't said they're going to vet them,” Noem said. KSFY.
Kristi Noem simply does not have the expertise to be Secretary of Homeland Security during this border crisis and Secret Service failure.
She has never worked in law enforcement. I have never worked for any of these agencies. And I have no idea how things should go.
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) November 12, 2024
According to multiple reports, Noem will be the next DHS secretary.
