Border Plan on the Second Day of Testimony
In her second day of speaking to Congress, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem takes a stand. She told lawmakers that President Trump’s strict immigration plans are what this country needs. Some people are angry about the new rules, but Kristi Noem stated that these are the rules needed to keep America safe and stop illegal drugs.
Why is this happening?
As the head of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem oversees the border. The Lawmakers called her in to ask how the government plans to handle illegal border crossings into the United States. Politicians are stating that the government is being too aggressive, but Noem argued that the old way of doing things was not it.
Stopping The Drugs
The part that stood out in Kristi Noem’s testimony was about fentanyl. This is a very strong and dangerous drug that has been hurting families for a very long time. Kristi Noem is arguing that the border has been weakened, and it has allowed cartels to sneak drugs in.
They will begin to lock down the border and check everyone more strictly. Kristi Noem believes the government can save lives. She stated We can’t have a safe country if we don’t have a secure border. For Kristi Noem, the wall and the new rules implemented are like a shield against drugs.
The Plan for Mass Deportations
The most controversial part of her testimony was the talk about mass deportations. The Trump administration wants to find people who are in the U.S. illegally and send them back to their countries.
She stated that her main focus is on criminals. If someone is in the U.S. illegally and they commit a crime, they would be the priority to be sent back.
The biggest argument lawmakers have raised is that this would tear families apart. Lawmakers have pointed out that many people have lived here for years and have U.S. citizen children. She answered that the law is the law and argued that people who come here the wrong way shouldn’t be allowed to stay.
Courtesy Of Gage Skidmore (Flickr CC0)Remain in Mexico
Kristi Noem has also defended a rule called Remain in Mexico. Many people would cross the border and ask for asylum. They would be given court dates and allowed to stay in the U.S. She also stated that those court dates could take years and that they would never show up.
She also stated that people will have to wait in Mexico while the U.S. decides their cases, which will prevent people from disappearing into the country. Kristi Noem hopes this will send a message that the U.S. isn’t just an open door.
Finishing The Wall
She has asked Congress for more money to finish the border wall. She described the wall as a teammate for the border agents.
Some people argue that the wall doesn’t work because people can climb it. She stated that while a wall isn’t perfect, it will slow people down enough that agents can catch them. She also asked for more money to hire thousands of new agents and to buy better technology, such as drones and cameras.
A Huge Disagreement in Hollywood and D.C.
Kristi Noem’s testimony highlights how divided the country really is. Republicans on the committee were very happy with Kristi Noem. They stated that she is finally doing what needs to be done to protect the country.
Democrats have expressed how upset they are and called the plans un-American. They’ve argued that the U.S. should be a place that welcomes people in need.
She didn’t seem to care about the criticism. She stated that her job isn’t to be popular but to follow the President’s orders and protect the border.
What This Means
If her plans go through, it will be the biggest change to American immigration in years. Her plans involve more border patrol agents and more people being sent back to their countries. This will be a much harder path for anyone trying to move to the U.S. without permission.
This promise of a new era has created a lot of controversy. Supporters feel that she is finally on the right path to making America great again. The people believe her focus on rules and consequences will make the border better. Many people are worried that this new order will come at a very high cost to human rights.
This isn’t just about a wall anymore, but about a complete shift in how America looks at the rest of the world. Whether someone agrees with Kristi Noem or not, the way people enter the United States will change forever. This will be the beginning of a much bigger transformation for the United States of America.
By William Hernandez
Journalist for Vlixx Magazine, reporting on news from around the world, ensuring timely, accurate, and detailed information to keep the public informed and educated.
Sources:
CBS News: Noem defends Trump immigration agenda in second day of testimony
CNN: Takeaways from Kristi Noem’s combative Senate Judiciary Committee hearing
Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
