ICE Barbie Awards $1 Billion Border Wall Contract to Accused People Smugglers

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem signed off on the deal with SLSCO Ltd. before leaving office, despite the company's alleged history of hiring and arming illegal immigrants.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:03pm

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Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, nicknamed "ICE Barbie," has awarded $1 billion in contracts to build sections of the Mexican border wall to a Texas company, SLSCO Ltd., that is accused of smuggling illegal immigrants into the country, arming them, and allowing them to engage in a shootout while working as security guards on the company's construction sites.

Why it matters

The awarding of this lucrative border wall contract to a company with alleged ties to people smuggling and the illegal employment of undocumented immigrants raises serious questions about the Trump administration's priorities and oversight when it comes to border security and immigration enforcement.

The details

According to court documents, two former security contractors for SLSCO claimed they discovered migrants working illegally at the company's border wall construction sites in southern California. They also allegedly witnessed armed Mexican nationals working as security guards for SLSCO, and these guards were involved in a shootout with another group of migrants who had snuck into the country to steal from the construction sites. The former FBI agent and ex-deputy sheriff who brought the lawsuit against SLSCO said they reported these incidents to the company's management, but no action was taken. They were later fired, which they claim was retaliation for raising the alarm.

  • In 2019, the alleged incidents of illegal immigrant hiring and the shootout took place at SLSCO's border wall construction sites in southern California.
  • On March 13, 2026, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem awarded the $1 billion border wall contracts to SLSCO Ltd. before leaving office at the end of the month.

The players

Kristi Noem

The outgoing Homeland Security Secretary, nicknamed "ICE Barbie," who personally approved the $1 billion border wall contracts for SLSCO Ltd. before leaving office.

SLSCO Ltd.

A Texas-based construction and disaster response company that was awarded two separate $1 billion contracts to build sections of the border wall in Del Rio and Laredo, Texas. The company is accused of smuggling illegal immigrants into the country, arming them, and allowing them to engage in a shootout while working as security guards on the company's construction sites.

John, Todd, and William Sullivan

The brothers who founded SLSCO Ltd. in 1995 and have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Republican causes, including the campaigns of Texas Governor Gregg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The case against SLSCO over the alleged human and weapons smuggling incidents was dismissed voluntarily, and the company has not publicly addressed the claims. It remains to be seen whether any further investigations or legal action will be taken regarding SLSCO's border wall contracts and the company's alleged ties to illegal immigration.

The takeaway

The awarding of lucrative border wall contracts to a company with alleged ties to people smuggling and the illegal employment of undocumented immigrants raises serious concerns about the Trump administration's commitment to border security and the integrity of the immigration enforcement process. This case highlights the need for greater scrutiny and oversight of government contracts related to immigration and border control.