Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has been at the forefront of several significant developments in the last few days, particularly in the realm of border security and immigration enforcement. On February 7, 2025, Secretary Noem visited Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to assess the progress of Operation Southern Guard and meet with personnel involved in the ongoing illegal alien holding operations. This visit marked her first trip to the installation since assuming her role as the eighth DHS Secretary.
During her visit, Noem met with Department of Defense personnel and representatives from the DHS to discuss the current operational status and future requirements for the expanding migrant operations. She expressed gratitude to the Joint Task Force Southern Guard (JTF-SG) for their support, acknowledging the unique nature of this operation and the federal government’s dedication to securing the nation’s borders through a unified interagency approach. The Secretary emphasized the importance of hearing both the successes and challenges faced by the team, ensuring that the necessary support, equipment, and supplies are provided to ensure the operation's success.
This visit followed an executive order issued by the President on January 29, directing DHS and DOD to take all necessary actions to expand the Illegal Alien Holding Operations (IAHO) at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to full capacity. Joint Task Force Southern Guard, led by U.S. Army South commander Maj. Gen. Phil Ryan, has been actively implementing infrastructure improvements and operational enhancements, making significant progress in expanding the camp’s capacity and ensuring humane treatment of the migrants in accordance with international humanitarian standards.
In addition to her visit to Guantanamo Bay, Secretary Noem has been involved in other key initiatives. Recently, she rode with Border Patrol agents on the southern border, highlighting her commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by law enforcement in border security. This hands-on approach is part of her broader strategy to empower law enforcement and protect Americans.
The DHS has also issued directives aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement. Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman, prior to Noem's tenure, issued directives that rescinded the Biden Administration’s guidelines for ICE and CBP enforcement actions in sensitive areas and ended the broad abuse of humanitarian parole, returning the program to a case-by-case basis. These actions are designed to empower law enforcement to enforce immigration laws more effectively and prevent criminals from hiding in sensitive areas like schools and churches.
Secretary Noem, who was sworn in on January 25, 2025, by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, leads the third largest department of the U.S. government, with a workforce of 260,000 employees and 22 components. Her leadership is focused on a wide range of critical areas including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, aviation security, border security, and the administration and enforcement of immigration laws.
Under her leadership, DHS continues to prioritize border security and immigration enforcement, reflecting a strong commitment to protecting the nation’s borders and upholding U.S. and international laws.
