Kristi Noem Smashes CBS Host’s Immigration Narrative, Announces New ICE Leadership [WATCH]

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday, where she addressed key issues including border security, trade disputes with Canada and Mexico, and internal leaks within the Department of Homeland Security.

During the interview, host Margaret Brennan repeatedly pressed Noem on the Trump administration’s immigration policies, particularly the detention of migrant families.

When Brennan attempted to criticize the administration’s decision to reinstate detention policies for families with children, Noem responded by stating that individuals detained by immigration authorities have choices regarding their legal status in the United States.

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“We’ve got detention facilities across the country, and there’s specific ones that are built specifically for families if they are detained,” Noem said.

“But remember, everybody has an option. They have an option to be here legally or illegally, and they can self-deport as well. We’ve set up a system and a website where people who are here illegally right now can register, and they can choose to go home on their own and keep their families united.”

Brennan pushed back, stating, “The kids don’t really have a choice in this—”

Noem quickly responded, “Well, the kids do have a choice. If they have parents, they make a choice to keep their families together, if they want to or not. If parents make a decision to leave their children behind, then that’s a choice that they made as a family. And we need to remember that when Americans break the law and they have consequences or face a situation, they’re separated from their families, too. I don’t believe we should prioritize people from other countries above Americans.”

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Brennan continued questioning Noem on whether the administration was reviving a policy that led to family separations at the border.

“I don’t know that we’re actually reviving it,” Noem responded.

Brennan attempted to interject, but Noem continued, “President Biden didn’t follow the law.”

When Brennan pressed further, Noem clarified, “He didn’t follow the law in the fact that it’s always been equally applied until his administration, and then he made decisions to ignore federal law in how he handled immigration and enforcement within our borders.”

MUST WATCH: Margaret Brennan tries to emotionally blackmail DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about “separating families.”

Noem expertly shuts her down with FACTS.

In addition to Biden actually ignoring immigration law, parents make a decision to break laws which ultimately can… pic.twitter.com/4kZnaVlorn

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 9, 2025

During the interview, Noem also announced new leadership appointments within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following the recent dismissal of acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello.

Reports had indicated that President Trump was dissatisfied with the pace of deportations under Vitello’s leadership.

“Today, we’re expanding our team at ICE,” Noem said. “We’re going to have an acting director in Todd Lyons, who has a long history with Tom Homan.”

Noem also named a new deputy secretary. “We’re also naming a Deputy Secretary in Madison Sheehan,” she added.

“They have done incredible work cleaning up our communities and making them safer.”

She emphasized the administration’s focus on law enforcement partnerships to strengthen immigration enforcement.

“Adding more to the team with Todd and Madison is going to allow us to partner with local law enforcement officials to ensure that we are truly following through on enforcing the law,” Noem said.

.@Sec_Noem shuts down the Fake News’ attempt to pin ‘family separation’ on President Trump: “I don’t know that we’re actually reviving it, it’s that President Biden didn’t follow the law. He didn’t follow the law in the fact that it’s always been equally applied until his… pic.twitter.com/vWlaopl7ZJ

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 9, 2025

The Biden-Harris administration had previously discontinued family detention policies, opting instead for alternatives such as monitoring programs.

However, with the Trump administration reinstating stricter enforcement measures, debates over immigration policy are once again at the forefront of national discussion.

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