Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem faced off with lawmakers Tuesday during her first appearance before the House Appropriations Committee, addressing a series of questions and criticisms related to immigration enforcement, visa policies, and alleged deportation of U.S. citizens.

During the hearing, Noem rejected accusations from Democrat members claiming the federal government has deported American citizens, including children.

Noem, appointed as Homeland Security Secretary under President Donald Trump, remained composed throughout the exchange, responding without notes and pushing back on both Democratic claims and Republican requests for expanded migrant worker programs.

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Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL) questioned Noem directly, asking, “Do you believe that the U.S. government has the authority to deport American citizens?”

“No, and we are not deporting citizens,” Noem responded.

Underwood followed up by stating that “several American citizens have been deported to date.”

Noem disputed that claim, responding, “They have not, that is not true,” as Underwood attempted to prevent her from elaborating by asserting, “Secretary Noem, that was not a question.”

UNDERWOOD: Do you believe that the US government has the authority to deport American citizens

NOEM: No, and we are not deporting US citizens

UNDERWOOD: Several American citizens have been deported pic.twitter.com/LVxkURXOIk

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 6, 2025

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Later in the hearing, Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX) repeated a similar claim, asking whether Trump’s immigration funding would be used “to deport U.S. citizens abroad.”

Noem replied, “We have not deported any U.S. citizens, so that false media narrative that you’ve heard out there just simply isn’t true.”

Escobar referenced “three children so far” who had allegedly been deported. Noem clarified that those instances involved parents who chose to take their U.S.-born children with them during deportation proceedings.

“It is our policy to keep families together,” Noem stated, even as Escobar tried to cut off her response.

.@Sec_Noem completely destroys @RepEscobar for pushing the Fake News that the Trump administration deported U.S. citizen children:

“The specific cases that you’re referencing with these children, it was the parents’ choice to take their children, which it is the policy of the… pic.twitter.com/5CS6ScUVjb

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 6, 2025

The topic gained traction after a social media post from Occupy Democrats claimed Noem was “torn to shreds” over deportation questions.

The post incorrectly alleged that American citizens, including a child with cancer, had been deported.

In reality, deportation of U.S. citizens is not authorized under U.S. law, and cases where U.S.-born children leave the country typically result from voluntary decisions made by deported parents.

Beyond addressing Democratic allegations, Noem also pushed back against some Republican lawmakers advocating for expanded low-wage migrant labor programs.

Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA), who owns several orchards, pressed for more H-2A farmworker visas.

“I can’t overstate the importance, as you know, of the agricultural labor force to produce food and fiber in our country,” Newhouse said.

Noem responded by reaffirming the administration’s position on immigration law enforcement.

“Migrants don’t get to come into this country and have the law apply to some people and not others,” she said.

“Those visa programs are ones that we continue to have discussions with … many of you.”

Noem added that the responsibility for setting visa limits lies with Congress.

Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) also requested more foreign workers, but Noem reiterated the administration’s focus on strengthening the American workforce.

“The President believes that we have a workforce here that deserves jobs that pay very well with benefits and a future here in the United States,” Noem said.

“And that we also need to keep the dream open for immigrants that want to come legally.”

Ciscomani concluded his remarks by commending Noem’s leadership.

“You’re doing a masterful job,” he said.

The hearing highlighted ongoing divisions within Congress over immigration enforcement, visa programs, and border security.

While Democrat members sought to amplify concerns over enforcement actions, and some Republicans focused on labor access, Secretary Noem underscored the administration’s dual priorities of border enforcement and legal immigration.

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