NILC says DHS leadership change won’t stop Trump’s deportation and detention agenda

The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) issued a statement after President Trump announced he will replace Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin.

In NILC’s view, Noem’s time at DHS reflected what it calls an “assault” on constitutional rights and a disregard for human dignity. NILC welcomed Noem’s departure but said the change at the top does not address what it describes as the administration’s broader deportation and detention agenda.

NILC also argued that replacing Noem with Mullin would likely continue the same policies, pointing to Mullin’s record and stance on immigration. The group used a “lipstick on a pig” comparison to describe the leadership change as cosmetic rather than substantive.

NILC said lawmakers who have pushed for accountability from agencies such as ICE and CBP should not lose momentum. It also called for stopping additional taxpayer funding for what it describes as “lawless attacks” by ICE and CBP.