Key Takeaways
• Secretary Noem oversaw 168,000 arrests and 598 agreements with local law enforcement under the 287(g) program in 2025.
• Third-country removals face a nationwide class action blocking some deportations through a preliminary injunction.
• A $200 million self-deportation campaign warns immigrants of daily fines and jail time if they do not leave.
South Dakota Governor Noem, now Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Drives Aggressive Immigration Enforcement and Third-Country Removal Policies
Kristi Noem, who previously served as the Governor of South Dakota, has taken on a new and powerful role as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under President Trump. Since her confirmation on January 25, 2025, Secretary Noem has moved quickly to reshape immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸. Her approach includes tough new policies, a focus on third-country removals, and a push for self-deportation. These changes have sparked strong reactions from immigrant communities, legal advocates, agricultural leaders, and Indigenous groups, especially in her home state of South Dakota.
Below, we break down what these changes mean, how they are being put into action, and what the potential impacts are for different groups across the country.
A New Era of Immigration Enforcement Under Secretary Noem
In her first 100 days as DHS Secretary, Kristi Noem has overseen a dramatic increase in immigration enforcement. According to DHS data, more than 168,000 undocumented immigrants have been arrested in 2025 alone. This includes over 600 members of Tren de Aragua, a well-known criminal organization. These numbers reflect a clear shift toward stricter enforcement, with a focus on both public safety and border security.
Secretary Noem has also expanded the reach of immigration enforcement by working closely with state and local law enforcement. Under her leadership, DHS has secured 598 signed agreements with state and local agencies through the 287(g) program. This program allows local police and sheriffs to help enforce federal immigration laws. In one high-profile operation, called “Operation Tidal Wave,” DHS and state officials made 1,120 arrests in Florida. These actions show how the Department of Homeland Security is using partnerships to increase its ability to find and remove undocumented immigrants.
To further boost enforcement, Secretary Noem has deputized several federal and state agencies to help with immigration operations. These include the Texas National Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Marshals, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), State Department, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This broad approach means more resources and more people involved in immigration enforcement than ever before.
Third-Country Removals: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?
One of the most controversial changes under Secretary Noem is the increased use of third-country removals. This policy allows the United States 🇺🇸 to send certain immigrants to countries that are not their home countries. For example, a migrant from Guatemala could be removed to a different country, such as Honduras or El Salvador, instead of being sent back to Guatemala.
This practice has led to major legal challenges. A federal court has certified a nationwide class action lawsuit in the case of DVD v. DHS. The lawsuit is being led by the National Immigration Litigation Alliance (NILA), Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), and Human Rights First (HRF). The court has issued a preliminary injunction—a temporary order that blocks the government from carrying out certain removals—while the case is being decided. This injunction gives some protection to immigrants who might otherwise be sent to third countries against their will.
Class counsel in the lawsuit has released a practice alert for lawyers and immigrants, explaining the protections that are now in place because of the court’s order. These legal battles are ongoing, and the outcome could shape how third-country removals are used in the future.
New Tools and Procedures for Deportation
The Trump administration, with Secretary Noem at the helm of DHS, has rolled out several new tools and rules to make deportations easier and faster:
- Registry Rule: Starting April 11, 2025, all undocumented immigrants must register with the government using a new form, G-325R. This form collects personal information and helps the government keep track of who is in the country without legal status. You can find the official Form G-325R here (if available; if not, check the USCIS Forms page).
- CBP Home App: The government has rebranded the CBP One app as the “CBP Home App.” This app now includes a self-deportation feature, which encourages undocumented immigrants to leave the United States 🇺🇸 voluntarily. The app provides information on how to arrange travel and what steps to take to avoid harsher penalties.
Detention Facilities: The administration has reopened several family detention centers, including the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley (which can hold up to 2,400 people) and a facility in Karnes County run by GeoGroup. These centers are used to hold families and individuals while their immigration cases are processed.
Guantanamo Bay Detention: For those considered the most dangerous—such as violent criminals or suspected members of terrorist gangs—DHS and the Department of Defense are using the Guantanamo Bay facility to detain them. This move has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who argue that it raises serious legal and ethical questions.
The Self-Deportation Campaign: Warnings and Penalties
Secretary Noem has launched a nationwide and international campaign to encourage undocumented immigrants to leave the United States 🇺🇸 on their own. On February 17, 2025, she announced a $200 million advertising effort that uses radio, TV, digital ads, social media, and text messages to spread the message. The campaign is being run in multiple languages and dialects to reach as many people as possible, both inside the United States 🇺🇸 and abroad.
The ads warn that those who do not self-deport may face fines of up to $1,000 per day, jail time, and forced removal from the country. The message is clear: leave now, or face serious consequences. This approach is designed to reduce the number of people DHS needs to arrest and deport, but it has also raised fears among immigrant communities.
Enforcement Priorities: Who Is Being Targeted?
While DHS has not yet released a new official memo on enforcement priorities, an unpublished memo from acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello gives some insight. According to this memo, the main targets for enforcement are:
- People considered national security or public safety threats
- Individuals with criminal convictions
- Gang members
- People who have been ordered removed but have not left
- Those who have re-entered the country after being removed
This focus means that people with criminal records or who are seen as threats are most likely to be targeted first. However, the broad language of these priorities leaves room for many others to be caught up in enforcement actions.
Impact on South Dakota and the Agricultural Sector
Secretary Noem’s policies have special meaning for South Dakota, where she was governor from 2019 to 2025. The state’s dairy industry is worth $7.2 billion each year, and the number of dairy cows grew by 70% during her time as governor. This growth has depended heavily on immigrant workers. In fact, about 44% of farmworkers nationwide lack legal status.
Farmers and business owners in South Dakota are worried that mass deportations could hurt the state’s economy. Many hope that enforcement will focus on those with criminal records, rather than on workers who are simply trying to support their families. These concerns were discussed at a panel event called “Immigration & Deportation Impacts on South Dakota,” held at Dakota Wesleyan University on April 8, 2025. The event highlighted the uncertainty and anxiety felt by many in the agricultural sector.
Changes to Prosecutorial Discretion: Less Flexibility for Immigrants
Under the Biden administration, immigrants and their lawyers could request prosecutorial discretion—a process that sometimes allowed cases to be closed or delayed for humanitarian reasons. This was done through special procedures and email inboxes on the ICE website. Secretary Noem has removed these options, making it harder for immigrants to ask for leniency.
On April 18, 2025, EOIR Acting Director Sirce Owen issued a new policy memo (PM 25-29) that canceled earlier guidance on administrative closure. Administrative closure allowed judges to pause cases, often for people with strong ties to the United States 🇺🇸 or those waiting for other legal relief. With this change, more cases will move forward toward removal, and fewer immigrants will have a chance to stay in the country based on special circumstances.
Wider Policy Changes: TPS, VOICE Office, and the Laken Riley Act
Secretary Noem’s enforcement efforts are part of a larger immigration agenda under President Trump. Some of the other major changes include:
- Ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) extensions for people from Venezuela, Haiti, and Afghanistan. TPS allows people from certain countries to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 temporarily because of unsafe conditions at home.
- Reopening the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office, which had been closed under President Biden. This office provides support to victims of crimes committed by immigrants.
- The Laken Riley Act: This law requires the detention of migrants—including those with legal protections like DACA or TPS—if they are accused of even minor crimes, even if they have not been convicted. The Senate Appropriations Committee estimates that it could cost $83 billion over three years to put this law into action, with border funding possibly reaching $85 billion or more.
These changes signal a return to tougher immigration policies, with a focus on enforcement and detention.
Concerns from Indigenous and Tribal Communities
Secretary Noem’s appointment as DHS Secretary has raised alarms among Indigenous groups, especially in South Dakota. As governor, she was banned from all nine tribal reservations after making unproven claims that tribal nations were working with drug cartels. Indigenous immigrants, especially those fleeing violence or persecution in countries like Guatemala, worry that her leadership could lead to more aggressive enforcement on or near tribal lands.
Tribal leaders are concerned about the impact of DHS policies on their communities and the risk of increased raids or enforcement actions at or near reservations. These worries add another layer of complexity to the debate over immigration enforcement.
Legal Resources and Official Information
For those affected by these changes, it is important to stay informed and seek legal help when needed. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website provides official information on forms, policies, and updates. Immigrants facing removal or other enforcement actions should consult with qualified immigration attorneys and keep track of ongoing legal cases, such as the DVD v. DHS lawsuit.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the evolving landscape of immigration enforcement under Secretary Noem is creating new challenges for immigrants, employers, and communities across the United States 🇺🇸. Staying up to date with official sources and legal guidance is more important than ever.
What Comes Next? Practical Steps for Stakeholders
The changes led by South Dakota Governor Noem, now Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, are reshaping the way immigration enforcement works in the United States 🇺🇸. Here are some practical steps for those who may be affected:
- Undocumented immigrants should consider seeking legal advice to understand their rights and options, especially in light of new registration and self-deportation requirements.
- Employers, especially in agriculture, should review their hiring practices and be prepared for possible labor shortages if enforcement actions increase.
- Community organizations can help by providing accurate information and connecting people with legal resources.
- Indigenous and tribal leaders should continue to monitor DHS actions and advocate for the protection of tribal lands and rights.
The situation is changing quickly, and the full impact of these policies will become clearer in the months ahead. For now, staying informed and prepared is the best way to respond to the new enforcement landscape.
Conclusion
Secretary Noem’s leadership at the Department of Homeland Security marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. With a focus on third-country removals, self-deportation, and expanded enforcement, these changes are affecting immigrants, employers, and communities across the country. Legal challenges and local concerns, especially in South Dakota and among Indigenous groups, highlight the complexity and controversy of these new policies. As the situation develops, those affected should rely on official government resources and trusted legal counsel to navigate the evolving immigration system.
Learn Today
Third-Country Removals → Policy allowing the U.S. to deport immigrants to countries other than their home nations.
287(g) Program → A federal partnership enabling local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws.
Self-Deportation → Government campaign encouraging undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the U.S. to avoid penalties.
Prosecutorial Discretion → Authority to delay or dismiss immigration cases for humanitarian reasons, now largely removed.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → Temporary immigration status granted due to unsafe conditions in a person’s home country.
This Article in a Nutshell
Secretary Noem’s aggressive immigration enforcement includes 168,000 arrests, controversial third-country removals, and a $200 million self-deportation campaign, reshaping U.S. immigration policy rapidly with significant impact for immigrant communities and states like South Dakota.
— By VisaVerge.com
