Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump’s reported pick to oversee the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), previously opted to accept refugee resettlement in her state.
In 2019, then-President Trump implemented an executive order that allowed states to have greater control over refugee resettlement.
The order required state and local officials to “affirmatively opt in” if they desired to receive new refugee arrivals, according to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI). This was the first time states had been provided with that option.
Forty-two governors and 100 mayors opted into the program, according to MPI. At least 19 governors were Republicans, including Noem. (RELATED: HART: Kristi Noem Shoots Her Dog – And Herself In Foot)
She sent a letter of consent to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, consenting to participation in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). She noted the consent would expire on Dec. 31, 2020, and she could revoke consent at any time.
Conservatives and Trump supporters online expressed disapproval of Trump’s reported pick for DHS secretary, noting her record on refugees and women’s sports. The DHS oversees the Border Patrol, which is under the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Senior editor at The Blaze, Daniel Horowitz, argued Tom Homan should be DHS secretary. Homan, who worked under Obama as ICE’s executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations, was named as Trump’s “Border Czar” on Sunday night.
“Not sure why Homan wouldnt just be the DHS secretary himself,” Horowitz posted on Twitter. “Noem is very close with the sorts of special interests that always want us to pull punches on interior enforcement.”
He added that she opted into the refugee resettlement program.
Not sure why Homan wouldnt just be the DHS secretary himself. Noem is very close with the sorts of special interests that always want us to pull punches on interior enforcement. Also, when Trump abolished refugee resettlement except if a state opted in, she went out of her way as…
— Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) November 12, 2024
Trump can own CNN and make his base happy by pulling back on this Kristi Noem thing.
I’m just saying, that’s a good deal.
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 12, 2024
“Kristi Noem cowered before corrupt business interests when she refused to sign legislation protecting girls in sports,” The Federalist CEO Sean Davis wrote online. “Trump needs a warrior to run DHS and secure our border, not a coward. Noem is a proven coward.”
Kristi Noem cowered before corrupt business interests when she refused to sign legislation protecting girls in sports. Trump needs a warrior to run DHS and secure our border, not a coward. Noem is a proven coward. https://t.co/EmvqwfgmFX
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) November 12, 2024
I’m fairly concerned about the Noem and Bessent choices. . . https://t.co/9fKwExNl4j
— Ned Ryun (@nedryun) November 12, 2024
Others argued that Noem lacks the necessary law enforcement experience to be DHS secretary.
“I’ll be honest I don’t get it,” Saagar Enjeti of Breaking Points tweeted Tuesday. Enjeti previously worked as the White House Correspondent for the Daily Caller. “DHS is the largest law enforcement agency in the US + you will be the public face of mass deportation and need a track record of being absolutely rock solid in pushing back against media lies.”
I’ll be honest I don’t get it
DHS is the largest law enforcement agency in the US + you will be the public face of mass deportation and need a track record of being absolutely rock solid in pushing back against media lies https://t.co/flWY0TXE36
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) November 12, 2024
Prior to assuming the position of governor of South Dakota, Noem served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2010-2018. She was previously a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives.
Noem does not have law enforcement experience.
In February, she ordered South Dakota National Guard members to go to the southern border to help Texas build a barrier during a battle between the state and the Biden-Harris administration over border security. In July, she directed more troops to the southern border.
The Supreme Court ruled in January that the federal government could cut the state’s razor wire fence, but Texas continued to install more border wire.
.@GregAbbott_TX is exactly right to invoke Texas’ constitutional authority to defend itself.
The Biden Administration has created a national security crisis and put Americans in danger. Their failure is an unconstitutional dereliction of duty.
South Dakota has been proud to… https://t.co/s4NMyvyu3Y
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) January 24, 2024
Kristi Noem simply does not have the expertise to be Secretary of Homeland Security during this border crisis and the failures at Secret Service.
She’s never worked in law enforcement. Never worked for any of these agencies. And has no idea how things are supposed to run.
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) November 12, 2024
I’ve really liked most of these cabinet picks, but I have to say that Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary is making me scratch my chin.
Wouldn’t it be better to pick someone with a history in law-enforcement or national security? pic.twitter.com/z1UtNHhgOZ
— Jackie Chea ⚖️ (@Fair_and_Biased) November 12, 2024
Why not pick someone with military background or any type of intelligence background to be Director of Homeland Security? Kristi Noem is by far the worst pick so far.
— Right Wing Dad 🇺🇸 (@RightWingDad) November 12, 2024
Noem’s press contact directed the Caller to a Newsweek article on the governor’s immigration stances when asked for comment.
“I take my duty to protect the security, safety, and prosperity of our citizens very seriously,” Noem stated in the letter. She added that policies enacted by Trump’s White House and State Department gave “much-needed assurance about the integrity” of the USRAP.
The state’s refugee resettlement agency is Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota.
In 2014, South Dakota accepted 495 refugees, according to data from Lutheran Social Services (LSS). In 2019, that number dropped to 130, and LSS projected 60 refugees for 2020. (RELATED: Kristi Noem Wavers On Bill Banning Biological Males From Women’s Sports)
A government that does not value the security of its people is negligent and inhumane.
When the federal government fails to uphold its duty to the people, the responsibility falls to the states.
SD has been a leader in stepping up to secure the border. pic.twitter.com/L3VvCiAnZp
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) February 1, 2024
Trump capped the refugee ceiling at 18,000 for fiscal year 2020, a decrease from his previous cap of 30,000. Obama’s final ceiling was 85,000 refugees.
LSS President Betty Oldenkamp said after Trump’s executive order was announced that she began collaborating with Noem’s administration, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reported in December 2019. Minnehaha County was the state’s only county where refugees were directly settled, according to the outlet.
Bishop Constanze Hagmaier of the South Dakota Synod sent a letter to Noem, thanking her for opting into the refugee program. The South Dakota Synod is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
While Noem opted into the USRAP, South Dakota was one of four states to opt out of resettling Afghan evacuees in 2021. The LSS decided it did not have the resources to take in Afghan refugees, the AP reported.
“We had really significant concerns about our ability to provide the level of support to help make that integration successful,” LSS’s Chief Operating Officer Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen stated. (RELATED: ‘A Self-Feeding Circle’: How A Web Of NGOs Enabled By Biden-Harris Is Fueling The Migrant Crisis)
Noem also expressed her concerns for potentially accepting refugees from Afghanistan.
“I don’t have the confidence (in the Biden Administration) today because they haven’t said they are going to vet them,” Noem told KSFY.
🚨NEW: President-Elect Trump is reportedly expected to name Governor Kristi Noem as his Secretary of Homeland Security. pic.twitter.com/mnmjVXDQZC
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 12, 2024
Multiple reports state Noem will be the next DHS secretary.