Kristi Noem Under Fire: Immigration Policies in the Spotlight

Key Points

• Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary, is set to face tough questions from Democrats during a House hearing.
• Her department is at the heart of President Donald Trump's strict immigration policies.
• This is Noem's first appearance before Congress since May.
• Immigration enforcement, especially in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, has become more controversial.

Focus on Immigration

• The hearing is about global threats to the U.S., but the focus will likely be on immigration.
• Trump won re-election in January, promising to change U.S. immigration policies.
• Since then, more people are in immigration detention.
• The administration continues to send migrants back to countries they are not from.

Increased Scrutiny

• After an Afghan national was accused of shooting two National Guard troops, Noem's department has increased checks and screenings of immigrants.
• The hearing is also a chance for Congress to ask leaders from the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the National Counterterrorism Center about threats to the U.S. and their plans to address them.
• Noem's department is under scrutiny because Congress gave it $165 billion to carry out its mass deportation agenda and secure the border.

Potential Contempt Charge

• Noem might also have to answer questions about a federal judge investigating whether she should face a contempt charge over flights carrying migrants to El Salvador.
• Democrats criticize immigration enforcement agents for mistakenly detaining and arresting American citizens.
• Homeland Security says agents do not target American citizens for immigration reasons, but they have arrested Americans for allegedly interfering in enforcement operations.

Legal Challenges and Previous Hearings

• Several Democratic committee members are part of a lawsuit accusing Noem and her department of limiting their access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities.
• Also attending the hearing are Joseph Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and Michael Glasheen, operations director of the national security branch of the FBI.
• Previous hearings have included questions on cybersecurity, China, chemical security, and drones.
• Under President Joe Biden, Republicans often focused on his administration's handling of border security during times of heavy migration.