Kristi Noem out as DHS Secretary; Sen. Markwayne Mullin reportedly tapped to lead department
Key Takeaways
- CBS News reports that Kristi Noem is out as Secretary of Homeland Security.
- Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) is reportedly being tapped to succeed her, subject to Senate confirmation.
- Day-to-day immigration processing by USCIS, CBP, and ICE will continue under existing laws and policies for now.
- An acting leader from within DHS is expected to run the department until a confirmed secretary is in place, per federal vacancies rules.
- Potential policy shifts could affect border enforcement, asylum processing, parole programs, and TPS, but no immediate changes are in effect.
A sudden leadership shake-up at DHS
Kristi Noem is no longer Secretary of Homeland Security, according to CBS News, which reports that Sen. Markwayne Mullin has been tapped to take the helm. Any permanent appointment would require Senate confirmation. If nominated and confirmed, Mullin would leave the Senate to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees immigration enforcement and services through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In the interim, an acting official from within DHS is expected to serve, consistent with the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and DHS’s statutory succession order.
What this means for immigrants and employers right now
For those filing or waiting on cases—green cards, work permits, asylum applications, H-1B petitions, or family visas—nothing changes immediately. USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) continues to accept applications under current forms, fees, and deadlines; published processing times remain the operative guide. CBP border operations and ICE enforcement continue under existing directives until new guidance is issued. Employers should maintain I-9 and E-Verify compliance as usual. Travelers should expect routine screening; no new travel restrictions have been announced in connection with this leadership change.
What to watch next
Confirmation dynamics will shape timelines. A new secretary can set enforcement priorities and propose rules affecting asylum processing at the border, parole programs under INA 212(d)(5), Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations or extensions, and how resources are allocated across CBP, ICE, and USCIS. It has been reported that policy emphasis could shift, but no formal directives have been issued. Applicants should monitor official DHS and USCIS notices for any future changes to filing procedures or eligibility standards, and attorneys should watch for updated policy memos, Notices of Proposed Rulemaking, and litigation that could alter implementation.
Source: Original Article