At a recent roundtable in Florida, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the fast-track setup of a new detention facility while urging more governors to join federal immigration efforts.
Speaking alongside President Donald Trump, Noem emphasized the importance of state-federal cooperation, citing the facility at “Alligator Alcatraz” as a model for how detention centers can operate efficiently when all levels of government are aligned.
“This facility is a fantastic representation of what can happen when government works together,” Noem said. “We stood this up in just eight days.”
Focus on Local Empowerment and Enforcement
Noem highlighted the 287(g) program, saying it helps states get more directly involved by letting local officers work with ICE.
“We’ve already been working to get the worst of the worst off our streets,” she said. “This is exactly what every governor should be doing.”
Noem also pushed for the use of federal tools like the CBP Home app to encourage voluntary returns. “You can still go home on your own,” she said. “If you don’t, you may end up here and never be allowed to return.”
Criticism of Opponents and Call for Legislative Support
The speech took a sharp turn as Noem criticized media outlets and political opponents.
“There’s been a 500 percent increase in violence against our officers since Trump returned,” she claimed. “Liberals and media outlets like CNN lie every day about what we are doing.”
Noem described the types of individuals being deported as serious threats. In a striking anecdote, she referenced a case involving a detained individual she said began harming himself mid-flight.
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“These are the kind of deranged individuals that don’t belong on our streets,” she said.
She ended her remarks by urging Congress to pass funding for continued operations.
“We need this big, beautiful bill,” she said. “We need the officers, the resources, and the support to make sure our homeland is truly secure.”
A Clear Endorsement
The event concluded with Noem praising Trump directly.
“You surround yourself with great people,” she said. “Everybody wants to work for the greatest president the United States has ever had.”
The roundtable was part of a broader push by Trump’s team to reassert control over immigration narratives and policies, leaning on state cooperation and detention infrastructure expansion as key elements.
