Tillis Says Republicans 'Lost the Debate' on Immigration

Retiring GOP senator criticizes past DHS leadership and hopes new nominee can 'fix what's broken'

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said his party has 'lost the debate' on immigration, criticizing the Trump administration's deportation efforts and the leadership of former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Tillis hopes the newly nominated DHS secretary, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), can 'fix what's broken' in the department.

Why it matters

Tillis' comments reflect the ongoing political debate over immigration policy in the U.S., with the Republican party facing challenges in maintaining a hardline stance as public opinion appears to be shifting. The nomination of Mullin to lead DHS also signals a potential shift in the administration's approach to immigration enforcement.

The details

Tillis criticized Noem's leadership of DHS, saying the department 'simply didn't deliver' on promises to target the 'most dangerous people' like 'gang members, drug traffickers, murderers, and rapists.' He referenced the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis earlier this year, saying the 'way you're going about deporting them is wrong.' Tillis praised Mullin, the Oklahoma Republican nominated to replace Noem, and hopes he can 'fix what's broken' at DHS.

  • In March 2026, Sen. Thom Tillis made the comments on CNN's 'State of the Union'.
  • Earlier in March 2026, President Trump nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to replace Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary.

The players

Thom Tillis

Republican senator from North Carolina who is not seeking reelection.

Markwayne Mullin

Republican senator from Oklahoma who was nominated by President Trump to replace Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary.

Kristi Noem

Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary under the Trump administration.

Renee Good

U.S. citizen fatally shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti

U.S. citizen fatally shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.

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What they’re saying

“We've lost the debate over immigration and deportations. I believe that we should deport everyone that we can find that came across the borders during the Biden administration. But we've got to be smart, use our limited resources, go after the most dangerous first.”

— Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator (CNN)

“The way you're going about deporting them is wrong, the fact that you can't admit to a mistake, which looks like under investigation, it's going to prove that Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti probably should not have been shot in the face and in the back.”

— Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator (Senate Judiciary Committee hearing)

“I believe that Markwayne recognizes that it's quality over quantity. We want to go after the most dangerous people — the gang members, the drug traffickers, the murders, the rapists, the [people] that Noem promised that we would go after and she simply didn't deliver.”

— Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator (CNN)

What’s next

The Senate will need to confirm Markwayne Mullin as the new DHS Secretary, a process that will likely involve further debate over the direction of the department's immigration enforcement policies.

The takeaway

Tillis' comments highlight the Republican party's internal divisions over immigration, with some lawmakers acknowledging a need to shift away from hardline stances that have alienated many voters. The nomination of Mullin signals a potential change in approach, though the details of his plans for DHS remain to be seen.