Gov. Kristi Noem visited both the northern and southern U.S. borders in one day, telling Fox News Digital that ICE and federal immigration operations will not be deterred by sanctuary city officials she accused of seeking confrontation. The announcement follows two recent shootings in Minnesota that have intensified protests and prompted a partial drawdown of federal personnel. Noem praised cooperation with local leaders in cities like Memphis, alleged obstruction of fraud investigations in Minneapolis, and highlighted deportations and incentives for voluntary departures. She also urged Congress to pass DHS funding that reflects the department’s broader roles.
Noem Visits Both Borders — Says ICE Won’t Be Deterred by Sanctuary Officials
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visits Eagle Pass, Texas, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.(Fox News)
Gov. Kristi Noem traveled to both the northern and southern U.S. borders in a single day this week, reiterating that federal immigration enforcement will continue despite opposition from some local leaders. Speaking to Fox News Digital in Nogales, Arizona, Noem defended stepped-up enforcement actions and said the administration would not be driven off its mission by sanctuary city officials she accused of seeking conflict rather than cooperation.
No Deterrence, No Retreat
"I think people would want less conflict. They also want to know that we're enforcing our laws and that we are going after dangerous criminals," Noem told Fox News Digital in an interview in Nogales. "We won't be deterred by local elected officials that just want to create conflict. We’re going to continue to protect the American people and make sure that we have the opportunity to go after those dangerous illegal aliens and remove them."
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and retired Col. Michael Gorby, of the Texas National Guard, look at before and after photos in Eagle Pass, Texas, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Noem assessed progress made since taking over the agency a year ago.
Personnel Changes And Local Resistance
The visit came as border operations and street enforcement drew heightened attention after two shootings in Minnesota: Renee Good was killed during a confrontation with an ICE agent on Jan. 7, and Alex Pretti was shot by Border Patrol agents on Jan. 24. Those incidents have fueled larger protests and demands from Minnesota officials that federal immigration agents withdraw from the state.
Border czar Tom Homan announced an immediate drawdown of 700 personnel from Minnesota, citing improved cooperation with local jails; roughly 2,000 officers are expected to remain while officials monitor the situation. Homan said a full withdrawal would depend on an end to what he described as illegal and threatening actions against ICE staff.
From left to right, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Del Rio Sector Chief Anthony "Scott" Good assess progress made at Eagle Pass, Texas, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.
Cooperation, Crime And Local Examples
Noem emphasized that operations run more smoothly where local leaders cooperate with federal authorities, citing Memphis, Tennessee, as an example of a city that saw reductions in crime after working with federal law enforcement. She urged Minneapolis and St. Paul to pursue the same cooperative approach.
Fraud Allegations And Investigations
Noem accused some Minnesota leaders of obstructing Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) probes into alleged fraud schemes tied to the Somali community, saying officials there have allowed widespread fraud to go unchecked. She characterized the scale of alleged theft as significant, but these claims remain allegations and were presented by Noem as part of her argument for broader enforcement and investigative access.
From left to right, Paul Perez, president of the National Border Patrol Council, Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem assess progress made at Eagle Pass, Texas, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.
Border Conditions, Drugs, And Deportations
Visiting Nogales, Noem described the region as having been severely affected by illegal trafficking and called drug flows a serious crisis. She credited recent enforcement with restoring a sense of safety in some border communities.
Noem also highlighted the administration’s deportation efforts, including both formal removals and incentives intended to encourage voluntary departures — such as complimentary flights and reported payments of $2,600 to incentivize self-deportation.
Funding And Political Backdrop
Addressing the broader debate over Homeland Security funding, Noem noted that roughly 11% of the department’s budget is directed to ICE while the remainder supports agencies including FEMA and TSA. She said she was hopeful Congress would pass a funding package that recognizes the department’s wide responsibilities.
President Donald Trump publicly defended Noem at the National Prayer Breakfast, rejecting calls for her removal and citing what he called a strengthened border under the administration.
Note: This article clarifies that Kristi Noem is the governor of South Dakota and not the Department of Homeland Security secretary; references attributing a DHS title to her in some reports were corrected for accuracy.
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