Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared a video Friday highlighting Americans killed by illegal immigrants, saying the victims represent “who we fight for” as the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement.
“We are deporting criminals from America so that no family will have to suffer a tragedy like this ever again,” Noem wrote in a post on X alongside the 46 second video, which featured dozens of victims.
The post comes as Noem faces growing criticism following two fatal shootings involving ICE protesters this month in Minneapolis, including one that occurred last weekend.
President Donald Trump has publicly defended Noem and dismissed calls for her resignation.
“I think she’s done a very good job,” Trump said this week. “The border is totally secure.”
At the same time, Trump dispatched White House border czar Tom Homan to oversee immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.
Those responsibilities had previously fallen under Noem and Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino.
Trump and Noem met privately for approximately two hours Monday as political pressure surrounding the shootings intensified.
Several Democratic lawmakers, along with at least two Republicans, have since called for Noem’s removal.
The most recent shooting marked the second fatal encounter involving federal immigration authorities in Minneapolis in less than three weeks.
U.S. citizen protester Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal agents during an immigration related protest last weekend.
Earlier this month, Renee Good, a 37 year old mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE agent after authorities say she used her vehicle to block an immigration enforcement operation.
Officials said Good then attempted to flee, driving toward an agent who was assisting in her arrest for obstruction.
Noem’s post sought to refocus attention on the mission of ICE and the stakes of immigration enforcement.
“There are countless Americans who live with a broken heart because an illegal immigrant, who should never have been in our country, was allowed to stay and take an innocent life,” Noem wrote.
This is who we fight for.
There are countless Americans who live with a broken heart because an illegal immigrant, who should never have been in our country, was allowed to stay and take an innocent life.
We are deporting criminals from America so that no family will have to… pic.twitter.com/x2hu2sqbfO
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 30, 2026
White House border policy adviser Tom Homan said Thursday that federal immigration enforcement in the Minneapolis area will remain in place and that undocumented immigrants without legal status remain eligible for arrest and deportation under U.S. law.
Homan, who was sent to Minnesota this week to oversee immigration operations following recent tensions and fatal shootings involving federal officers, spoke at a news conference in Minneapolis.
The border chief reported a “very productive” meeting on Wednesday with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. During the meeting, Ellison agreed to notify ICE when local jails are preparing to release violent illegal aliens, addressing a longstanding request from federal law enforcement.
“One ICE agent can arrest one bad guy when he’s behind the safety and security of a jail when he’s behind bars and we know he doesn’t have weapons,” Homan said. “But when you release that public safety threat illegal alien back into the community—we have a job to do. We’re going to arrest him, so we’re going to find him.”
“So now what happens is now we’ve got to arrest somebody on his turf where he has access to who knows what weapons,” he said. “Now we’ve got to send a whole team out.”
“President Trump wants this fixed and I’m going to fix it with your help,” Homan said, adding that federal agents will continue to enforce immigration laws.
“We’re going to do our jobs,” he said. “And we’re not leaving until this problem is gone.”
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