(NewsNation) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a news conference Friday to discuss recent arrests made in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Speaking in Nashville, Noem described the “worst of the worst,” as she listed a small number of arrests made in Tennessee.
She detailed the arrests of people from Venezuela, Guatemala, El Salvador and Iraq, saying that they had convictions or charges for offenses ranging from promoting prostitution to homicide and child sexual abuse.
Noem attacked those who have criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including elected officials, the media and the mayor of Nashville, whom she accused of “forcing” city employees to document interactions with federal immigration authorities.
In her remarks, Noem also brought up the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, reiterating the allegations leveled at him by the administration and accusing the media and Democrats of distorting the facts in the case.
Noem also called out those who have criticized ICE, citing a steep rise in threats and violence against officers.
When asked about claims that ICE was detaining people based on skin color, Noem denied it.
“That is absolutely false, and don’t you ever say that again,” she told the reporter.
Noem also said the government is following due process in deportation cases, though the administration has faced multiple lawsuits over speedy deportations that advocates say violate the right to due process.
The White House has focused heavily on mass deportations since President Donald Trump took office. The issue of immigration was a critical one during Trump’s campaign, and he appears to be making good on his promise to conduct large-scale deportations.
While the administration has repeatedly spoken of undocumented immigrants in terms of criminality, data shows 71.7% of those detained have no criminal record. Noem doubled down on the claim, however, saying the administration has focused on the worst criminals.
Deportations have taken a toll on the farming industry, with farmers facing a dwindling workforce as workers are deported or absent due to fears of immigration raids.
Americans’ views on immigration have also shifted, and a majority of Americans now believe immigration is a good thing and disapprove of the Trump administration’s actions.