Kristi Noem Fights Back Against Homeland Security Spending Frenzy

Senator Chris Murphy, the leading Democrat on a U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee panel, criticized Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem over her management of agency funding and the Trump administration’s immigration policies during a hearing on Thursday.

Murphy warned that DHS might exhaust its $65 billion budget by July, risking violation of the Antideficiency Act, a regulation that prohibits federal overspending. “Your department is out of control,” he remarked. “You are running out of money.”

During her appearance before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Noem faced scrutiny regarding the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador.

The White House’s proposed budget includes $107 billion for DHS starting October 1, contingent upon Republican approval of a larger $175 billion package for border security. Murphy expressed concern that party priorities are influencing spending decisions, saying, “If the administration spends down the accounts that were priorities for Republicans and does not spend down the priorities that were priorities for Democrats, I don’t know how we do a budget.”

Senator Patty Murray, ranking Democrat on the full Appropriations Committee, echoed these concerns, accusing Noem of failing to adhere to appropriations laws. She expressed alarm that immigration enforcement disproportionately impacts U.S. citizens and immigrants with legal protections.

“Your crackdown has roped in American citizens and people who are here legally with no criminal record,” Murray stated. She called attention to DHS’s expenditure of $100 million on advertisements promoting immigration policies, including warnings to potential migrants.

Noem also announced a “travel assistance” initiative offering up to $1,000 for undocumented immigrants to self-deport, a program that could cost $1 billion if the goal of deporting one million individuals is met. Questions arose about the funding source for this initiative within the DHS budget.

Murray pressed Noem regarding over $100 billion in DHS funds that remain unallocated for immigration enforcement, labeling it an “illegal freeze.” When asked about unfreezing these funds, Noem attributed the issue to the Biden administration’s policies.

A tense exchange unfolded between Noem and Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who had visited El Salvador to discuss the case of Abrego Garcia, whose deportation was acknowledged as an “administrative error” by the Trump administration. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Trump administration must facilitate Garcia’s return.

Van Hollen inquired about steps taken to rectify the wrongful deportation, but Noem stated, “There is no scenario where Abrego Garcia will be returned to the United States,” asserting he remains in the custody of El Salvador.

When questioned about ongoing immigration policy impacts on students with visas, several Republicans also expressed concern. Senator Susan Collins, the committee chair, highlighted issues faced by Canadian students attempting to study in the U.S., indicating they now face rigorous scrutiny at the border.

Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski raised the issue of delayed paperwork for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, emphasizing that many individuals from conflict-ridden nations contribute significantly to local communities. Noem acknowledged these concerns and mentioned that TPS renewals for Ukrainians are still under evaluation amidst the ongoing conflict.