Border Crossings Plummet as Noem Saddles Up Where Harris Once Condemned
Paul Riverbank, 2/4/2025In a notable shift in border policy, DHS Secretary Noem's horseback patrol in Del Rio sector symbolizes a dramatic departure from previous administration's approach. Early data shows substantial decreases in illegal crossings, with Border Patrol reporting renewed operational freedom and effectiveness under new leadership.
In a striking departure from her predecessor's approach, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem mounted up alongside Border Patrol agents in Del Rio, Texas — the same location that once sparked a controversial political firestorm under the previous administration.
The imagery couldn't be more pointed. Where former Vice President Kamala Harris once saw shadows of slavery and indigenous oppression in Border Patrol's mounted units, Noem saw "great Americans" doing vital work. The new DHS chief's horseback tour of the region — complete with cowboy hat and boots — sent an unmistakable message about the changing of the guard in Washington.
"Under President @realdonaldtrump, the days of open borders are over," Noem declared during her visit, marking a dramatic shift in both tone and substance from the previous administration's approach.
The Del Rio sector tells a tale of two very different border policies. In December 2023, under the Biden administration, the area was witnessing upwards of 4,000 illegal crossings daily. Fast forward to the present administration, and those numbers have plummeted — with recent reports showing as few as 60 crossings on a single Sunday.
The transformation is particularly poignant given the sector's recent history. In 2021, the same location saw over 30,000 Haitian migrants camped under the Del Rio Port of Entry — a crisis that spawned the infamous "whipping" controversy. Harris, appearing on "The View," had claimed, "Human beings should not be treated that way," while suggesting racial overtones in the Border Patrol's actions. Those allegations were later thoroughly debunked by both the photographer who captured the images and an official CBP investigation.
The statistical shift since Trump's inauguration has been dramatic. Chief Michael Banks reported a 55% decrease in migrant apprehensions border-wide in the administration's first week. In the Del Rio Sector specifically, suspected "get-away" incidents dropped by more than 60% — from 229 to 82.
Noem's leadership style presents a stark contrast to her predecessor, Alejandro Mayorkas. "Former Sec Mayorkas rode OVER the Border Patrol and didn't let them do their jobs. Today, I rode with our agents," she emphasized, highlighting the administration's shift toward empowering rather than constraining border enforcement.
The new DHS Secretary brings unique experience to her role, having previously deployed South Dakota Army National Guard soldiers to support Texas Governor Greg Abbott's border security initiatives. Her hands-on approach — evidenced by joining the Horse Patrol Unit on the ground — signals a departure from the more distant management style of previous leadership.
The Border Patrol's response to the new direction appears positive. As Noem observed, "The men and women of Border Patrol are ENERGIZED and HAPPY again because they get to do their job. They are able to fulfill their mission to keep America safe."
This transformation in Del Rio — from crisis point to managed border — serves as a microcosm of the broader policy shifts reshaping America's approach to border security. Where controversy once reigned, a new narrative of enforcement and order is taking shape, one horseback patrol at a time.
