Noem Blames Sanctuary Policies For Illegal Accused Of Shooting CBP Officer
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is placing the blame squarely on New York City’s sanctuary policies after a Border Patrol officer was shot in the face last week by a man in the country illegally. Noem, a vocal critic of open border policies and soft-on-crime urban leadership, visited the wounded agent at the hospital and didn’t mince words about what she believes led to the near-fatal encounter.
The suspect, identified as a 19-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela, is accused of shooting the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent in a park in the Bronx. Authorities confirmed the suspect was involved in a robbery attempt when he opened fire on the officer. The officer, part of a federal task force targeting violent gangs, sustained serious injuries but is expected to survive.
“There is absolutely zero reason why this individual should have been walking the streets of New York,” Noem told reporters. “If not for these reckless sanctuary policies, this federal officer would not be fighting for his life right now.”
Governor Noem’s visit to the injured CBP officer and his family served both as a show of support and a bold rebuke of sanctuary cities like New York. “This is a direct consequence of failed leadership,” Noem said. “Mayor Adams and others who continue to shield illegal aliens from accountability are putting American lives at risk.”
According to reports, the suspect had previously entered the United States illegally but had been released due to overwhelmed immigration courts and lenient local enforcement. Rather than being held or deported, he was allowed to remain in the country under the very policies championed by progressive city officials.
“Sanctuary cities have become sanctuaries for criminals,” Noem declared. “We have allowed lawlessness to thrive under the guise of compassion, and it’s the American people, including our federal officers, who are paying the price.”
Critics of Noem’s remarks, including left-leaning pundits and city officials, attempted to shift the narrative away from immigration enforcement, claiming the incident should be seen primarily as a public safety concern. But conservatives are not buying it.
“This isn’t just about a single act of violence,” said a retired Border Patrol agent who served in New York. “It’s about the broader consequences of policies that treat federal law like an inconvenience and lawbreakers like victims.”
The Department of Homeland Security has not released an official statement regarding the immigration status of the suspect, but multiple federal sources confirmed he was not authorized to be in the country. A second suspect was also taken into custody in connection to the incident.
Noem’s criticism comes amid renewed national outrage over the Biden administration’s immigration failures and the growing backlash against cities that defy federal immigration law. The shooting occurred as the administration continues to battle record numbers of illegal crossings and an immigration court backlog that now exceeds 3 million cases.
Republicans, including Noem, have consistently warned that sanctuary cities provide cover for dangerous individuals who exploit loopholes in the system. “We’ve warned this would happen,” Noem stated. “And now a federal officer’s blood has been shed because of cowardice and political games.”
Mayor Eric Adams has faced mounting criticism from all sides in recent months as the migrant crisis has overwhelmed New York’s shelter systems, budget, and public patience. His administration has attempted to walk a fine line—keeping New York’s sanctuary status intact while asking for federal help with the crisis. But critics like Noem say he can’t have it both ways.
“You can’t welcome illegal immigrants with open arms and then act surprised when some of them bring crime and violence with them,” Noem said during a press conference outside the hospital. “That’s not leadership. That’s negligence.”
The officer, whose name has not been released for security reasons, was part of a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) task force working to dismantle a local gang. According to law enforcement, the group had been linked to multiple robberies and violent crimes in the Bronx.
“Federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” Noem said. “The least we can do is ensure that our laws support them—not the criminals they’re trying to apprehend.”
Conservatives have applauded Noem’s outspokenness, viewing her as one of the few state leaders willing to confront the growing divide between federal enforcement and local obstruction. Her visit to New York underscored the urgency with which many Republicans believe the border and immigration crises must be addressed—especially as 2024 campaign politics continue to heat up.
“This isn’t just a New York problem. This is an American problem,” Noem concluded. “And if leaders like Mayor Adams won’t protect our officers and citizens, then it’s up to the rest of us to call them out and demand change.”
With a CBP agent critically injured and a city once again in the headlines for the wrong reasons, the issue of sanctuary policies—and the danger they pose to Americans—shows no signs of disappearing from the national stage.
