Category: NCTC Speeches, Testimonies and Interviews

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

DHS has accomplished more in six months than most Administrations achieve in an entire term

WASHINGTON – In just six months, President Trump and Secretary Noem have delivered the American people a long list of victories in their mission to secure the homeland and Make America Safe Again. 

Under their leadership, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has closed the southern border, removed violent criminal illegal aliens, restored law and order to our immigration system, supported Americans in times of crisis, revolutionized our Coast Guard to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, and kept Americans safe. 

Secured the Southern Border 

• On day one, President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border.    
• President Trump immediately reinstated “Remain in Mexico” and ended catch-and-release.  
• Daily border encounters have plunged by 93% since President Trump took office.
• Under President Trump’s leadership, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has located over 10,000 unaccompanied children.
• Migrants are turning BACK before they even reach our border— migration through Panama’s Darien Gap is down 99%.
• President Trump—with $46.5 billion from the Big Beautiful Bill—is finishing the border wall. DHS already has more than 85 miles either planned or under construction with funding from the prior year, in addition to hundreds of miles that are now planned to be funded by the bill. President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill also includes over $5 billion for new technology and border surveillance.
• With the Big Beautiful Bill, CBP will get the resources they need to keep America safe, including $4.1 billion to hire additional personnel, including 5,000 more customs officers and 3,000 new Border Patrol agents.
• In June, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had the lowest number of nationwide encounters in CBP history at 25,228.
• The number of nationwide apprehensions in June was also a historic low of just 8,024.   
• Notably, on June 28, Border Patrol recorded only 136 apprehensions across the entire Southwest Border—the lowest single-day total in agency history.
• And in both May and June, U.S. Border Patrol reported zero parole releases—reinforcing the Administration’s commitment to ending catch-and-release policies.   

Removed the Worst of the Worst Illegal Aliens  

• The Trump Administration empowered our brave men and women in law enforcement to use common sense to do their jobs effectively. 
• DHS returned to using the term “illegal alien” which is the statutory language. President Trump will not allow political correctness to hinder law enforcement. 
• The Trump administration has arrested more than 300,000 illegal aliens in 2025 alone.
• 70% of ICE arrests are criminal illegal aliens with criminal charges or convictions.     
• The Big Beautiful Bill will allow ICE to arrest and remove even more criminal aliens by providing $14.4 billion for removals, 10,000 new ICE agents, 80,000 new ICE beds, and a $10,000 signing bonus for new ICE agents. This will help ICE achieve as many as 1 million deportations per year.
• As part of 287(g), DHS partnered with the State of Florida and opened Alligator Alcatraz, giving the Trump administration the capability to lock up some of the worst scumbags who entered the country illegally under the previous administration. The new facility expands facility and bed space by the thousands.
• Operation Tidal Wave, the first 287(g) enforcement operation coordinated with state and federal law enforcement partners, resulted in over 800 arrests.
• President Trump and Secretary Noem are empowering state and local law enforcement to get these criminal illegal aliens off our streets. DHS has secured more than 800 signed agreements with state and local partnerships under 287(g).    
• At the direction of President Trump, CBP and ICE began widescale immigration enforcement operations in sanctuary city Los Angeles and southern California. The month-long operation resulted in arresting some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.
• In July, federal law enforcement officers executed criminal warrant operations at marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo. At least 14 migrant children have been rescued from potential exploitation, forced labor and human trafficking. Federal officers also arrested at least 361 illegal aliens from both sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo.
• After weeks of delays by activist judges, the Department of Homeland Security finally deported eight barbaric, violent criminal illegal aliens to South Sudan.    

Delivering Justice for Victims of Illegal Immigration  

• President Trump and Secretary Noem reopened the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office, which was shuttered by the Biden Administration. President Trump and Secretary Noem are standing up for the victims of illegal alien crime and ensuring they have access to much needed resources and support they deserve.    

Incentivizing Historic Self-Deportations 

• President Trump ended the CBP One app that allowed more than one million aliens to illegally enter the U.S. The Trump Administration replaced this disastrous program with the CBP Home app, which has a new self-deportation reporting feature for aliens illegally in the country.
• President Trump launched Project Homecoming through a presidential EO. The United States is also offering any illegal alien who uses the CBP Home App a stipend of $1,000 dollars, paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app. So far, tens of thousands of illegal aliens have used the app to self-deport.  
• In addition to offering CBP Home, DHS announced illegal aliens who self-deport through the app will receive forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the United States. DHS also made CBP Home more user friendly by eliminating certain steps and making it easier than ever for illegal aliens to self-deport.
• DHS and DOJ are enforcing our immigration laws and fining illegal aliens who do not depart when they are supposed to. So far, nearly 10,000 fine notices have been issued by ICE.  

Restoring Common Sense to America’s Legal Immigration System 

• President Trump ended the broad abuse of humanitarian parole and returned the program to a case-by-case basis. As part of this effort, Secretary Noem terminated the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela parole programs.
• Following victory at the U.S. Supreme Court, DHS began sending termination notices in June, informing the illegal aliens both their parole is terminated, and their parole-based employment authorization is revoked – effective immediately.
• DHS has returned the Temporary Protected Status immigration program to its original status: temporary. No longer will this program be abused and exploited by illegal aliens. Secretary Noem rescinded the previous administration’s extension of Venezuelan, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Afghan TPS.
• Secretary Noem terminated Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification—meaning Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status—for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.
• It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from higher tuition to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. Harvard University repeatedly abused this privilege and even stonewalled DHS’s request for information.   

Initiating a Golden Age in American Air Travel 

• Secretary Noem terminated the politically motivated Quiet Skies Program, which since its existence has failed to stop a single terrorist attack while costing US taxpayers $200 million a year. The program, under the guise of “national security,” was used to target political opponents and benefit political allies.
• TSA ended the “shoes-off” travel policy, allowing passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. This change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.
• The Trump administration fully implemented REAL ID enforcement measures nationwide—a law signed 20 years ago. REAL ID helps ensure that travelers are who they say they are and prevents fraud by criminals, terrorists, and illegal aliens. Most travelers have not even noticed a difference because nearly 94% of travelers are already REAL ID compliant.
• Secretary Noem ended collective bargaining for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Transportation Security Officers, which constrained TSA’s chief mission to safeguard our transportation systems.  

Fixing Disaster Relief for the 21st Century 

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency is now shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens. The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades.
• President Trump has established the FEMA Review Council to provide recommendations on how to best conduct disaster relief at the federal level. 
• Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the FEMA Review Council is developing a comprehensive plan for necessary change.
• DHS has empowered state and local governments to lead disaster relief efforts without interference from the federal government.  

Provided Rapid and Effective Support to Flood Victims in Texas 

• Within moments of the flooding in Texas, DHS assets, including the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), CBP Border Search, CBP BORSTAR, and FEMA personnel surged into unprecedented action alongside Texas first responders for search and rescue operations.
• FEMA deployed 311 staffers delivering critical intelligence, aerial imagery, and shelter for 171 survivors.
• Combined state and federal rescue efforts evacuated and rescued over 1,500 people.   

Getting CISA Back on Mission 

• Under the Biden Administration, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) censored free speech and targeted Americans.
• Under President Trump’s direction, DHS closed CISA’s politically weaponized offices and fired those responsible for abusing their power.
• CISA is now back on-mission: Protecting Americans and critical infrastructure from cyberthreats.
• CISA is shifting away from an all-hazards approach to a risk-informed approach, prioritizing resilience and action over mere information sharing. 
• CISA personnel are deployed across 10 regions in support of all 56 states/territories. 
• CISA is also on the front lines of defending America from cyberattacks. 
• CISA partnered with the FBI and NSA to ensure state and local governments have information and resources necessary for protection.
• CISA is also providing security support for next year’s FIFA World Cup.
• Secretary Noem discontinued the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) as a part of the implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order 14217, Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy, and removed members of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), which CISA oversees.  

Revolutionizing the Coast Guard 

• When President Trump came back into office, the Coast Guard faced its greatest readiness crisis since World War II because the Biden Administration left it underfunded and neglected.
• President Trump’s order to surge Coast Guard assets to our maritime border changed the game.
• In the first few months of the Trump Administration, the Coast Guard seized more cocaine and other illegal drugs than during the entirety of 2024.
• For the first time in years, the Coast Guard expects to exceed its recruiting goals.
• In Fiscal Year 2025, the Coast Guard has brought in more than 4,250 recruits – 1,200 more than the same time last year.
• That’s 108% over the goal.
• Under Biden, the Coast Guard fell short of its recruiting goals four years straight.
• Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the Coast Guard is unleashing “Force Design 2028,” a revolutionary new blueprint that will make the Coast Guard more agile, more capable, and more responsive than ever before.  

Standing up for the American taxpayer 

• The United States Coast Guard (USCG) eliminated an ineffective information technology (IT) program, saving nearly $33 million, and is now focusing resources where they’re most needed to protect our homeland. 
• USCG partially terminated a wasteful Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG), which has been slow to deliver four OPCs, harming U.S. defense capabilities.
• The Trump Administration stopped aliens on the Terror Watchlist from receiving Medicaid benefits.     
• Secretary Noem cancelled CISA’s expensive headquarters project, saving taxpayers over half a billion dollars.  

To stop policies that were magnets for illegal immigration, DHS froze all funding to non-governmental organizations that facilitate illegal immigration and announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure taxpayer dollars do not go to housing illegal aliens. 

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Operations across the U.S. target criminal illegal aliens convicted of burglary, kidnapping, and human trafficking

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested removable criminal illegal aliens across the country on July 17, 2025, as part of coordinated enforcement targeting some of the worst of the worst in our communities. Among those taken into custody were previously deported felons, gang members, and individuals with long histories of violent criminal conduct.

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One of the most serious arrests was of Phong Thanh Nguyen, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, with a conviction for second-degree murder, indecent exposure, and a U.S. immigration judge issued a final order of removal in 2012. Nguyen was arrested by ICE Los Angeles officers after it was determined he had violated the terms of his supervision. Despite his murder conviction, indecent exposure, and removal order, Nguyen was released under an Order of Supervision in 2012 during the Obama administration. 

“A Vietnamese national murdered someone, exposed himself in public and remained on U.S. soil for years,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “ICE has a duty to protect the American public from criminal illegal aliens. President Trump and Secretary Noem will not allow convicted criminal illegal alien killers to hide behind outdated policies. Our message to criminal illegal aliens is clear, leave now. If you don’t, we will find you and deport you, and you will never return.” 

ICE continues to target and remove the worst offenders—those who pose the greatest threat to the safety and security of American communities. Nguyen remains in ICE custody pending removal procedures.  

ICE agents across the country carried out similar arrests of criminal illegal aliens with serious convictions, including: 

• Abraham Taddesse, an illegal alien from Ethiopia, convicted of rape in the second degree in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

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• Juan Felix Yanes-Montano, a criminal alien from Cuba, convicted of robbery with a deadly weapon, armed burglary, and kidnapping with a deadly weapon in Miami-Dade County, Florida. 

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• Cesar Porras, an illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl in Pecos, Texas. 

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• Eduardo Salinas-Gonzalez, an illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of smuggling aliens, escape, and two illegal re-entries in Zapata County, Texas. 

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

The criminal illegal alien fled the Newark facility and ICE captured him in Los Angeles after a month-long manhunt

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) captured an illegal alien detainee who escaped the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey. The individual—Andres Pineda-Mogollon—is one of four dangerous criminal illegal aliens who escaped Delaney Hall on June 12, 2025. He is the final detainee to be captured. 

“We are tremendously grateful to our brave ICE agents and law enforcement partners for capturing Andres Pineda-Mogollon and the other three dangerous criminal illegal aliens who escaped Delaney Hall. Politicians and activists relentlessly try to smear ICE—but the facts remain true: Delaney Hall houses dangerous criminals, including these four fugitives who committed aggravated assault, burglary, theft and even threatened to kill law enforcement,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Now, these slimeballs no longer pose a threat to public safety.” 

CAPTURED:

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On July 17, 2025, Andres Pineda-Mogollon, an illegal alien from Colombia, was arrested by ICE in Los Angeles, California. He overstayed a tourist visa and entered the U.S. in 2023 under the Biden administration. On April 25, 2025, the New York City Police Department arrested Pineda-Mogollon for petit larceny. On May 21, 2025, the Union, New Jersey Police Department arrested Pineda-Mogollon for residential burglary, conspiracy residential burglary, and possession of burglary tools.

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On June 13, 2025, Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested by ICE, FBI, and Passaic Police in Passaic, New Jersey. During the arrest, Sandoval-Lopez kicked and threatened to kill the law enforcement officers. This criminal illegal alien’s criminal record includes unlawful possession of a handgun and aggravated assault.

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On June 13, 2025, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia whose criminal record includes arrests for burglary, theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary, attempted to turn himself in to local authorities at the New Jersey State Police Bridgeton Station. Due to their sanctuary policies, the State Police refused to take him into custody because they do not work with ICE. On June 15, Castaneda-Lozada surrendered himself to Agents from FBI and ICE in Milleville, New Jersey. 

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Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes is an illegal alien from Honduras who illegally entered the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden administration. On May 3, 2025, the Wayne Township, New Jersey Police Department arrested Bautista for aggravated assault, attempt to cause bodily injury, terroristic threats, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security is gutting dozens of partisan and wasteful grants that failed to counter terrorism threats, saving taxpayers $18.5 Million.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is slashing waste at the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), cutting $18.5 million in misappropriated spending that do not meet the stated goal of CP3 to prevent terrorism or targeted violence. CP3, a minor DHS Policy sub-office, with no operational role in monitoring or preventing terrorist attacks, had become a cash cow for radical activists under the Biden Administration—funneling taxpayer dollars to push woke, partisan agendas and silencing dissent. After a strategic review, DHS is discontinuing the funding of grants that have no legitimate nexus to protecting the homeland from the threat of terrorism.

Terminated Grants Include:

• $209,406.70 to the “Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders” group, which promoted radical gender ideology in K–12 schools, targeting students as young as kindergartners and flagging parental concerns as risks.
• $288,760.66 to CenterLink, a nonprofit focused on LGBTQ issues, not terrorism prevention.
• $851,836.13 to the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, a DEI organization focused on silencing ideological opposition.
• $206,260.00 to the United States Esports Association, which targeted gamers with “woke” content under the pretext of violence prevention.
• $479,816.00 to the One World Strong program, which labeled traditional male behaviors as extremist and stigmatizing young males.
• $651,311.81 to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and Strong Cities Network, which promoted biased anti-extremism initiatives, LGBTQ+ propaganda, and prioritized radical groups over broader community concerns.

“These cancellations reflect DHS’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and national security,” said a Senior DHS official. “By eliminating wasteful and ideologically driven programs, we are redirecting resources to initiatives that uphold American values, respect the rule of law, and effectively combat terrorism and violence.”

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

CBP nabs career criminal, drug dealer and ten other illegal aliens in targeted operation

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested numerous illegal aliens, including a dangerous serial drug abuser and dealer with 67 charges, during a July 17 operation in Sacramento, California.  

CBP’s targeted operation resulted in the heroic arrest of Javier Dimas-Alcantara, a serial criminal with convictions and charges spanning decades, including the following: 

• Multiple instances of transport and sale of a narcotic or controlled substance
• Felony burglary
• Illegal entry
• Carrying a loaded firearm in public
• Multiple instances of providing false identification to a law enforcement officer
• Multiple instances of felony possession of marijuana for sale
• Revocation of probation due to re-offense of possession of marijuana for sale
• Being under the influence of a controlled substance
• Multiple instances of possession of a narcotic or controlled substance
• Possession of a controlled narcotic with intent to sell 

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“On July 17, CBP conducted an operation in Sacramento, California, resulting in the arrest of at least 11 criminal illegal aliens. Among the illegal aliens captured in this heroic effort was Javier Dimas-Alcantara, a serial criminal illegal alien who has been booked into jail 67 times,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Dimas has been CONVICTED of a myriad of offenses—you would not want this man to be your neighbor. And yet, politicians like Gavin Newsom defend criminals who terrorize American communities and demonize law enforcement who defend those same communities. He and every other sanctuary politician should be thanking CBP for getting this scum out of American communities instead of obstructing federal law enforcement at every possible turn.” 

President Trump and Secretary Noem have been given a clear mandate from the American people: get violent illegal aliens OFF our streets and OUT of our country.  

Illegal aliens can take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right, legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return. 

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Operations across the U.S. target criminal illegal aliens convicted of heinous crimes

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security today announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Houston arrested Pedro Trejo Reyes, a convicted child rapist and criminal illegal alien from Mexico. On July 17, ICE removed Reyes from American communities.

Reyes, a criminal alien from Mexico, entered the United States as a lawful permanent resident in 1990. While in the United States he was convicted of a DWI in 1995 and convicted again in Texas for repeatedly sexually assaulting his 12-year-old niece resulting in her pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage in 2011. Forensic DNA testing confirmed with over 99.9% certainty that Trejo Reyes fathered the unborn child. A U.S. immigration judge approved Trejo Reyes’ order for removal in 2011, and ICE removed him to Mexico on July 17, 2025, after his 16 years of confinement.

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“As the media and politicians continue to carry water for criminal illegal aliens who have committed indescribable acts of evil in our country, the brave men and women of ICE are arresting and removing the worst of the worst from the U.S.,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Just today, ICE deported Pedro Trejo Reyes who raped and impregnated a defenseless child. There is no path forward, no second chances and no place in America for depraved aliens like him. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, DHS is continuing to make America safe.”

ERO agents across the country carried out similar arrests of criminal illegal aliens with serious convictions, including:

• Edwin Jacobo Hernandez Mateo, a criminal alien from Honduras, who was charged in Waller County, Texas, for raping and impregnating a minor under the age of 14. Hernandez was arrested by ICE June 17 and remains in ICE custody at the Montgomery Processing Center.

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• Juan Gabriel Zamorano-Gutierrez, an illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of molesting a minor in Ontario, California.

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• Edmundo Vasquez-Gaxiola, an illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of aggravated indecent assault after being accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a young girl over the course of several years in York Springs, Pa. According to a Pennsylvania State Police affidavit, the victim disclosed the abuse began when she was around 5 years old and continued until she was about 11. 

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• Kelvin Civil, an illegal alien from Haiti, convicted of inducing a minor for sex, assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest in Taunton, Massachusetts.

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• Elmer Breve-Sanchez, an illegal alien from Honduras, convicted of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens in Del Rio, Texas.

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

FBI Most Wanted Suspect for attack on ICE agents arrested after joint investigation with ICE and law enforcement partners

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Coast Guard announced that it has seized 242,244 pounds of cocaine since the start of President Trump’s administration on January 20th. This is a more than 100% increase over the cocaine seized under the previous administration over the same period in 2024.

Since just 1.2 grams of cocaine can be lethal, the Coast Guard has seized over 91 million potentially lethal doses — enough to kill the entire population of the states of California, Texas, and New York combined.

This milestone comes after President Trump ordered a surge of Coast Guard resources to America’s maritime border on his first day in office, tripling the number of forces along the U.S. southern border and maritime approaches. 

“The U.S. southern border is an interconnected system, and as illegal migration and smuggling become harder across the southwest land border, cartels may try different routes,” said Coast Guard Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday. “Our message to the cartels is this: We own the sea, not you. Using every capability at our disposal, the Coast Guard will prevent threats from reaching our borders.” 

“Thanks to the heroic and diligent work of the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard, these drugs will never hit American streets to poison our communities and destroy American families,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Securing our maritime borders is critical to making America safe again. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, the Coast Guard is getting the resources and support it needs to fulfill its mission like never before.”

Under the President’s leadership, Secretary Noem is implementing Force Design 2028, a full-scale effort to transform the Coast Guard into a more agile, capable, and responsive force. This effort will make the Coast Guard even more effective maritime force, empowering it to crack down on the international drug trade and keep deadly drugs like cocaine and fentanyl out of American communities.

80 percent of all US-bound drugs are seized on the high seas, and the Coast Guard is the primary force charged with interdicting those drugs and breaking up international maritime drug smuggling rings.  

For more information about the Coast Guard, visit www.uscg.mil.

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