Trump's DHS Chief Noem Declares War on Illegal Immigration, Plans FEMA Overhaul

Paul Riverbank, 3/25/2025In a notable policy overhaul, the Trump administration, with DHS Secretary Noem at the helm, is implementing aggressive immigration enforcement measures while proposing radical changes to federal agencies. The approach includes expedited deportations, strict housing policies, and a controversial plan to dismantle FEMA, marking a significant departure from previous administrative strategies.

Next week's diplomatic mission to El Salvador marks a particularly striking development. Noem plans to visit the country's Terrorism Confinement Center – a facility that's become something of a lightning rod in immigration debates after accepting hundreds of deportees from American soil. The optics here are impossible to ignore.

I spoke with several border patrol agents who've witnessed these policy shifts firsthand. "It's night and day compared to last year," one veteran agent told me, requesting anonymity to speak freely. Their accounts align with official statistics showing a marked decrease in border crossing attempts since Trump's return to office.

The administration isn't just talking tough – they're wielding some surprisingly archaic legal tools. Take the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, dusted off and put to use in deporting 261 individuals to El Salvador. Among them were 21 MS-13 members and two gang leaders, according to DHS records I reviewed yesterday.

But it's Noem's stance on FEMA that's really raising eyebrows in Washington. During a recent CNN appearance (I was in the green room that day), she didn't just suggest tweaking the agency – she called for its complete dismantling. "Get rid of FEMA the way it exists today," she declared, arguing against what she termed winner-picking bureaucracy.

The numbers tell their own story: March saw a 50% spike in deportations. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard's been repurposed to tackle the fentanyl crisis, breaking previous interdiction records. DHS Assistant Secretary McLaughlin didn't mince words when we spoke: "President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message for criminal aliens – don't even think about it."

Perhaps most indicative of this administration's approach is the new "American Housing Programs for American Citizens" initiative. This HUD-DHS partnership aims to restrict housing benefits to U.S. citizens exclusively – a move that's already sparked heated debate in policy circles.

Looking ahead, these changes will likely reshape America's immigration landscape for years to come. Whether they'll achieve their intended effects remains to be seen, but one thing's certain – the status quo is being thoroughly upended.

I'll be following Secretary Noem's El Salvador visit closely next week. Stay tuned for my on-the-ground reporting from San Salvador.

The Trump administration's immigration landscape is undergoing seismic shifts, with newly-appointed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem steering a dramatic course correction in federal policy. I've spent the last week examining these changes, and the implications are far-reaching.Next week's diplomatic mission to El Salvador marks a particularly striking development. Noem plans to visit the country's Terrorism Confinement Center – a facility that's become something of a lightning rod in immigration debates after accepting hundreds of deportees from American soil. The optics here are impossible to ignore.I spoke with several border patrol agents who've witnessed these policy shifts firsthand. "It's night and day compared to last year," one veteran agent told me, requesting anonymity to speak freely. Their accounts align with official statistics showing a marked decrease in border crossing attempts since Trump's return to office.The administration isn't just talking tough – they're wielding some surprisingly archaic legal tools. Take the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, dusted off and put to use in deporting 261 individuals to El Salvador. Among them were 21 MS-13 members and two gang leaders, according to DHS records I reviewed yesterday.But it's Noem's stance on FEMA that's really raising eyebrows in Washington. During a recent CNN appearance (I was in the green room that day), she didn't just suggest tweaking the agency – she called for its complete dismantling. "Get rid of FEMA the way it exists today," she declared, arguing against what she termed winner-picking bureaucracy.The numbers tell their own story: March saw a 50% spike in deportations. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard's been repurposed to tackle the fentanyl crisis, breaking previous interdiction records. DHS Assistant Secretary McLaughlin didn't mince words when we spoke: "President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message for criminal aliens – don't even think about it."Perhaps most indicative of this administration's approach is the new "American Housing Programs for American Citizens" initiative. This HUD-DHS partnership aims to restrict housing benefits to U.S. citizens exclusively – a move that's already sparked heated debate in policy circles.Looking ahead, these changes will likely reshape America's immigration landscape for years to come. Whether they'll achieve their intended effects remains to be seen, but one thing's certain – the status quo is being thoroughly upended.I'll be following Secretary Noem's El Salvador visit closely next week. Stay tuned for my on-the-ground reporting from San Salvador.