Homeland Security Secretary Noem Visits San Diego Border

Noem's trip comes amid declining public support for Trump's immigration policies.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is scheduled to visit the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego on Thursday, where she will hold a news conference focused on border security and drug enforcement efforts. Her visit comes as new polls show declining support for the Trump administration's border and immigration enforcement tactics following two fatal shootings of protesters by immigration agents in Minneapolis.

Why it matters

Noem's visit highlights ongoing tensions between the federal government and California over immigration enforcement. While the Trump administration has taken a hardline stance, California's Democratic leaders have condemned the administration's tactics. Noem's trip also unfolds against a backdrop of policy and legal challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security.

The details

Noem's event in Otay Mesa is being framed by DHS as an update on 'historic border security and drug seizure efforts' under the current administration. Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection are expected to attend alongside Noem. The visit follows Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent trip to the San Diego–Otay Mesa corridor, where he highlighted law enforcement partnerships and contrasted collaborative efforts with the Trump administration's decision to send the National Guard to Democratic cities.

  • Noem is scheduled to visit the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • A poll for NBC showed that 49% of Americans strongly disapprove of the administration's immigration policies, an increase from 38% last summer.

The players

Kristi Noem

The current Homeland Security Secretary.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California, a Democrat who has condemned the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The federal agency that is expected to attend Noem's event alongside her.

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What they’re saying

“These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens. We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law. President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law.”

— Kristi Noem

What’s next

Noem's visit to the border near San Diego comes as the Department of Homeland Security faces ongoing policy and legal challenges, including calls for oversight and potential impeachment proceedings from Democratic lawmakers in Congress.

The takeaway

Noem's border visit highlights the continued political tensions between the federal government and California over immigration enforcement, with the Trump administration taking a hardline stance and California's Democratic leaders condemning the tactics. The trip also comes amid declining public support for the administration's border and immigration policies.