Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said federal immigration authorities were arresting the “worst of the worst” in raids targeting criminal illegal immigrants in the first week of the Trump administration.
Noem, who was confirmed Saturday, joined an immigration enforcement raid in New York City Tuesday morning in which officers picked up an alleged ringleader of the violent Tren de Aragua gang.
“We are picking up the worst of the worst in this country that are making our streets so dangerous,” Noem told Sean Hannity on “Hannity.” “The community is safer now. That’s the reality of it.”
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joins an ICE raid in New York City Tuesday. Noem said communities will be safer because of targeted raids that go after criminal illegal immigrants. (Department of Homeland Security)
Investigators said Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 25, is the same man caught on camera in a video showing heavily armed men kicking down an apartment door at an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado.
He was hiding out in New York City, authorities said.
The targeted raid against criminal illegal immigrants was “very specific,” Noem said. In an effort to combat crime, sanctuary city laws should be lifted, so authorities can better target and prosecute illegal immigrants who commit crimes, she added.
“We need mayors and governors partnering with us, but we will do our job regardless of that,” she said. “We will continue to go forward and identify those folks and get them out.
“Talking about the difference in some of these sanctuary cities, how they’re just released as soon as they come into our custody, not necessarily our custody, but the local governments’.”
KRISTI NOEM JOINS IMMIGRATION RAID TO CATCH ‘DIRTBAGS’ IN MAJOR SANCTUARY CITY
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A Venezuelan migrant arrested during an ICE raid early Jan. 28 was identified by the Department of Homeland Security as Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco. Zambrano-Pacheco was wanted by Aurora Police Department in Colorado and was allegedly one of the men who appeared in a viral security camera video from August 2024 who menaced an apartment building shortly before a fatal shooting. (City of Aurora, Colorado )
She added that immigration agents were happy “they finally get to do their job” and “finally get to get these dirtbags out of our country.”
Noem said she plans to accompany authorities to see what authorities need to better perform their jobs.
Noem said three times the number of criminal illegal immigrants were being arrested than under the Biden administration, and she said there were fewer encounters at the southern border.
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The DEA New York Division participated in an immigration enforcement operation with other federal law enforcement partners, resulting in the arrest of one suspect on kidnapping, assault and burglary charges. (X/@DEANEWYORKDiv)
“We’ve sent a message clearly to the world: ‘Don’t come here. If you’re an illegal and if you’re dangerous, we have a target on you, and you will not be welcome and we will remove you’,” said Noem.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has praised the efforts of law enforcement in New York City after the recent arrest of criminal illegal immigrants. In a statement released today, Noem commended the NYPD for their dedication to keeping the city safe and removing dangerous individuals from the streets.
Noem emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws and removing criminal offenders from the country, stating that it is essential for public safety. She also expressed her support for the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and protect American citizens.
The governor’s comments come as a response to recent reports of violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in New York City. Noem’s statement serves as a reminder of the importance of strong immigration enforcement in ensuring the safety and security of our communities.
As the debate over immigration continues to rage on, Governor Noem’s words stand as a testament to the need for strict enforcement of our nation’s laws. By cracking down on criminal illegal immigrants, we can help make our cities safer for all residents.
Tags:
- Kristi Noem
- NYC safety
- Criminal illegal immigrants
- Arrest
- Immigration policy
- Public safety
- Law enforcement
- Immigration laws
- Crime prevention
- Immigration reform
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