You’ve probably seen her on the news, wearing that familiar expression of stoic resolve that became her trademark back in South Dakota. But the job of head of homeland security Kristi Noem is a whole different beast than running a Midwestern state. It’s been about a year since she took over the third-largest department in the federal government. Since being sworn in on January 25, 2025, Noem hasn’t just been a face for the administration; she’s been the hands-on architect of a massive shift in how the U.S. handles its borders, its skies, and even its local jails.
Honestly, the sheer scale of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is hard to wrap your head around. We're talking 260,000 employees. It covers everything from the Coast Guard to the Secret Service and FEMA. When Noem stepped into the role, people wondered if a former governor—even one as high-profile as her—could actually manage the bureaucratic nightmare that DHS is often known for being.
Kristi Noem at the Helm: A Radical Year for Border Policy
When we talk about the head of homeland security Kristi Noem, the conversation almost always starts at the southern border. That was the mandate. She didn't wait around for committee meetings. In her first few months, Noem oversaw what the department now calls a "historic" plunge in border crossings. According to DHS data from late 2025, apprehensions dropped significantly, with some months seeing a 93% decrease in year-over-year crossings.
It wasn’t just about putting up more fencing, though that’s happening too. Under Noem’s watch, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" funneled $37 billion into sealing the border wall. But the real change was in the "velocity," as she puts it. She ramped up Border Patrol hiring by 84% compared to the previous administration. You’ve probably heard of the "Worst of the Worst" campaign—that’s her brainchild. It’s a public-facing database (wow.dhs.gov) that tracks criminal illegal aliens, a move that’s been praised by supporters for transparency and criticized by others as being politically charged.
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The End of TPS and the "Slammer" Initiatives
One of the most controversial things she’s done lately involves Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Just this week, in mid-January 2026, Noem made the call to terminate TPS for Somalia, effective this coming March. She's done the same for several other countries, including Honduras, Nepal, and Venezuela. Basically, her philosophy is that if the original emergency in those countries is over, the special status ends. Period.
Then there’s the detention space issue. Noem has been busy cutting deals with conservative governors to expand where people are held. You might have seen the nicknames popping up in press releases: "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida or the "Speedway Slammer" in Indiana. These aren't just catchy names; they represent a massive expansion of the 287(g) program, which lets local cops act as immigration agents.
Managing Disaster and the "America 250" Security Prep
It isn't all border fights. As the head of homeland security Kristi Noem also has to deal with Mother Nature. Just yesterday, she announced another $116 million for North Carolina to help with the long tail of recovery from Tropical Storm Helene. She’s been pushing a "federally supported, state-led" model for FEMA, trying to cut through the red tape that usually makes people want to pull their hair out after a hurricane.
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Looking ahead, 2026 is actually a massive year for her department because of two things: the 250th anniversary of the United States and the FIFA World Cup. Noem just launched a new office specifically for drones. Why? Because the threat of "hostile drones" at a stadium or a parade is the new nightmare fuel for security experts. She’s already steered $115 million into counter-drone tech to protect the World Cup venues.
What Most People Miss About the Role
People tend to focus on the politics, but the day-to-day of being head of homeland security Kristi Noem involves some pretty deep-tech cybersecurity and maritime work. She recently swore in Admiral Kevin Lunday as the new Commandant of the Coast Guard. She's also been quietly reopening offices like VOICE (Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement), which had been shuttered under the previous administration.
Is it all smooth sailing? Hardly. She’s facing a mountain of lawsuits over the TPS terminations and the "Operation Tidal Wave" enforcement actions. Critics argue that the rapid-fire deportations are breaking up families and ignoring nuance. Noem’s response has been pretty consistent: she’s following the law as she sees it, putting "Americans first."
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Actionable Insights for 2026
If you're trying to keep up with how these changes actually affect people on the ground, here are a few things to keep on your radar:
- Monitor the "Worst of the Worst" Site: If you live in a city like Minneapolis or Chicago where "Operation Metro Surge" is active, DHS is posting real-time updates on arrests and local enforcement partnerships there.
- Check TPS Status Changes: If you work with or know anyone under Temporary Protected Status, the windows are closing fast. Most of these terminations have a 60-day lead time from the Federal Register notice.
- Watch the 287(g) Map: More and more counties are signing these agreements. This means local law enforcement in those areas will have direct ICE access and detention authority.
- Prepare for High Security at Major Events: If you're planning on attending America 250 celebrations or FIFA 2026 matches, expect "drone-free zones" and much tighter DHS-led perimeters than in previous years.
The reality is that Kristi Noem has fundamentally reshaped the DHS into a more aggressive, enforcement-heavy machine. Whether you're a fan or a critic, there’s no denying she’s moved faster in one year than most department heads do in four. As we move further into 2026, the focus is clearly shifting from just the border to securing the "interior" and prepping for the massive public celebrations on the horizon.