Update: Secretary Noem was confirmed by the Senate on January 25, 2025.
President Trump has nominated South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In this role, if confirmed, she would have responsibility for a wide-ranging portfolio ranging from natural disaster response, prevention of terrorist attacks, customs, anti-trafficking, and immigration and border enforcement. DHS also has primary authority over a number of temporary work visa programs, and shares some jurisdiction over them with the Departments of State and Labor.
While Noem has limited experience working on many of the issues in DHS’s purview, in her Senate confirmation hearing, she committed to carrying out the Trump administration’s plans to accelerate deportations and radically reshape the U.S. system for seeking and obtaining asylum, as well as reexamining the use of humanitarian immigration protections and work permits.