New DHS Chief Poised to Ramp Up Deportations

Backed by court wins, incoming Homeland Security chief Markwayne Mullin aims to revitalize immigration enforcement.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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President Trump has nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, replacing outgoing Secretary Kristi Noem. Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, inherits an agency that has already seen a significant drop in illegal border crossings under the Trump administration. With recent court rulings clearing the way for tougher enforcement, Mullin is expected to further ramp up deportations of undocumented immigrants.

Why it matters

The change in DHS leadership comes as the Biden administration's more lenient immigration policies have faced growing legal challenges. Recent court decisions have rejected attempts to limit deportations, paving the way for the incoming DHS chief to take a harder line on illegal immigration.

The details

Under the Trump administration, monthly encounters at the southern border dropped 91% compared to the Biden-Obama era. A key statistic is that zero people who tried to enter illegally were granted 'parole,' a tactic used by previous administrations to allow more undocumented immigrants into the country. The new DHS chief will be tasked with returning those parolees to their home nations.

  • In 2023, the Border Patrol dealt with more than 2 million illegal aliens.
  • On Friday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court judge's attempt to compel the admission of more than 100,000 foreigners into the U.S.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

An Oklahoma Republican senator who has been nominated by President Trump to replace Kristi Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security. Mullin is described as a 'MAGA Warrior' and former undefeated professional MMA fighter.

Kristi Noem

The outgoing Secretary of Homeland Security under the Trump administration.

Jamal N. Whitehead

A Biden-appointed federal judge whose attempt to compel the admission of more than 100,000 foreigners into the U.S. was reversed by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Kenneth K. Lee

A 9th Circuit Court of Appeals judge who wrote a partial dissent reminding lower courts that the judiciary is the 'weakest branch' of government and should not 'stand athwart, yelling 'stop' just because they genuinely believe they are the last refuge against policies that they deem to be deeply unwise.'

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What they’re saying

“'A MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter, Markwayne truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda,'”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“'We … must not be seduced by the temptation of judicial resistance: District courts cannot stand athwart, yelling 'stop' just because they genuinely believe they are the last refuge against policies that they deem to be deeply unwise. Otherwise, we risk inching towards an imperial judiciary that lords over the President and Congress,'”

— Kenneth K. Lee, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge

What’s next

Assuming his soon-to-be-former colleagues confirm him in the role, Mullin will have a slightly easier time managing the judicial resistance that has been the main impediment to removing those who have overstayed their welcome.

The takeaway

With recent court rulings clearing the way for tougher immigration enforcement, the incoming DHS chief Markwayne Mullin is expected to take a harder line on illegal immigration and ramp up deportations of undocumented immigrants.