New Homeland Security Chief Seeks Deportations Without Backlash

Markwayne Mullin aims to ramp up immigration enforcement while avoiding public outcry.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:51am

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A dimly lit, shadowy government office with a solitary desk bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight, conceptually representing the new Homeland Security chief's efforts to quietly deport undocumented immigrants.The new Homeland Security chief aims to ramp up deportations while avoiding the public backlash that has plagued past immigration enforcement efforts.Washington Today

In his first days as head of the Department of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin has taken a more low-key approach compared to his predecessors, favoring suits over ICE-branded bulletproof vests as he seeks to ramp up deportations of undocumented immigrants without generating the same level of public backlash.

Why it matters

Mullin's strategy represents a shift in the Biden administration's approach to immigration enforcement, as the new DHS chief looks to balance the president's campaign promises on deportation with the political realities of a divided Congress and an electorate wary of heavy-handed tactics.

The details

Rather than the high-profile raids and mass deportations of the Trump era, Mullin plans to focus on deporting convicted criminals and those who pose national security threats, while avoiding the dramatic scenes that have sparked protests and outrage in the past.

  • Mullin was recently appointed as the new head of the Department of Homeland Security.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

The newly appointed head of the Department of Homeland Security, who is seeking to ramp up deportations of undocumented immigrants while avoiding the public backlash that has plagued past immigration enforcement efforts.

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What they’re saying

“getting the dirtbags off the streets”

— Markwayne Mullin, Department of Homeland Security Chief

What’s next

Mullin is expected to outline his full immigration enforcement strategy in the coming weeks, as the Biden administration grapples with the ongoing challenges of border crossings and a divided Congress.

The takeaway

Mullin's low-key approach to immigration enforcement represents an attempt to strike a balance between the administration's campaign promises and the political realities of a polarized electorate, as the new DHS chief seeks to deport undocumented immigrants without generating the same level of public backlash that has plagued past efforts.