America Reclaims Border: Noem's DHS Slashes Illegal Crossings by 95 Percent

America’s borders, once overwhelmed by unchecked migration, now stand as a symbol of strength. Secretary Kristi Noem has reshaped the Department of Homeland Security, driving a 95 percent drop in daily border encounters since President Trump took office. Migration through Panama’s Darien Gap has nearly vanished, down 99.99 percent. These numbers reflect a nation reclaiming control over its frontiers and prioritizing the safety of its citizens.

A multimillion-dollar ad campaign, launched by Noem, broadcasts a firm warning worldwide: illegal entry into the United States will lead to deportation with no return. The message resonates, as thousands of migrants turn back. Nearly 5,000 unaccompanied children have been safely reunited with guardians, while 85 miles of new border wall construction reinforce physical security. This approach delivers results, proving that strong borders protect both sovereignty and humanity.

Noem’s leadership empowers U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to target dangerous offenders. In 2025 alone, ICE arrested over 168,000 illegal aliens, with 75 percent facing criminal convictions or charges. Among them are over 600 members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. Noem joined ICE operations in New York City, Northern Virginia, and Phoenix, where agents apprehended human traffickers, drug smugglers, and MS-13 gang members. These efforts demonstrate a government committed to public safety.

In Florida, Operation Tidal Wave, a joint effort with state and local law enforcement, led to 1,120 arrests. Noem expanded partnerships through 598 state and local agreements under the 287(g) program. By deputizing agencies like the Texas National Guard and the DEA, she ensures a coordinated response. Violent criminals now face detention at Guantanamo Bay or deportation to El Salvador’s high-security prisons, delivering justice and protecting communities.

Fentanyl fuels a deadly opioid crisis, claiming over 82,000 lives in 2022. Noem’s DHS, working with Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard, has seized nearly 232,000 pounds of illicit drugs in 2025. Technologies like 123 non-intrusive inspection scanners and 16 rapid-test labs enable swift fentanyl detection. Drones, logging over 12,000 flight hours, enhance Southwest Border surveillance. These tools disrupt the flow of poison into American neighborhoods.

Some policymakers advocate redirecting enforcement funds to rehabilitation or decriminalization, arguing that interdiction alone fails to address addiction. Yet, cartels like CJNG and Sinaloa, producing over 400 million lethal fentanyl doses yearly, exploit weak borders. Noem’s strategy—seizing drugs, designating cartels as terrorist organizations, and extraditing killers like Eswin Mejia—tackles the crisis head-on. Security at the border remains the foundation for saving lives.

Noem’s reforms restore integrity to legal immigration. The Temporary Protected Status program, previously misused, now operates as intended, with extensions for Venezuelans, Haitians, and Afghans revoked. Enhanced visa vetting, including social media monitoring, identifies terrorist sympathizers. ICE’s arrests of individuals like Mahmoud Khalil, linked to Hamas, and Badar Khan Suri, tied to a Hamas advisor, underscore the need for scrutiny. America values lawful immigration but rejects those who threaten its security.

Certain groups push for broader visa programs and citizenship for undocumented residents, claiming these foster compassion. However, the 1.8 million pending asylum cases overwhelming courts reveal the risks of lenient policies. Noem’s initiatives—enforcing the Alien Registration Act, introducing a self-deportation app, and securing biometric data-sharing with Colombia—balance fairness with firmness. These steps prevent exploitation while upholding national interests.

Noem’s DHS eliminates waste while strengthening security. Through the Department of Government Efficiency, she cut a $33 million ineffective Coast Guard IT program and redirected nearly a billion dollars from FEMA’s flawed BRIC grants to disaster relief. Funding for NGOs aiding illegal immigration has been halted, and taxpayer money no longer supports housing for illegal aliens. These decisions respect the financial burdens borne by American families.

By reopening the VOICE office and meeting with Angel families like Tammy Nobles, Noem honors victims of illegal alien crime. The Laken Riley Act, detaining illegal aliens accused of serious offenses, ensures accountability. These actions affirm a core principle: the safety and well-being of American citizens take precedence in every policy decision.

In just 100 days, Noem has transformed DHS into a guardian of American security. Illegal crossings have plummeted, violent criminals face deportation, and drug seizures protect communities. These achievements, driven by Noem’s leadership and Trump’s vision, mark a turning point. The nation is stronger, its borders more secure, and its people better protected than ever before.

The work continues, but the foundation is set. By enforcing laws, leveraging advanced technology, and rejecting policies that invite chaos, America can maintain this progress. Noem’s commitment sends a clear message to those who challenge our sovereignty: this nation stands united in defense of its people and its future.