PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
March 6, 2026
Contact: press@alianzaamericas.org / (773) 638-4278
Following hearings convened by the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, in which Kristi Noem testified, the President dismissed her and appointed Senator Markwayne Mullin to the position. Alianza Americas, a network of more than 55 organizations led by immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean, insists that this is not about replacing one person with another, but about repealing the existing laws that govern immigration policy in the U.S. and ending a misguided national security policy that harms people, impacts local economies, and fuels this administration's white supremacist agenda. Polls show that the majority of Americans do not support these actions.
An image change is not enough. The Department of Homeland Security, as currently structured, prioritizes punishment and criminalization over human dignity, efficiency, and the recognition that the United States needs immigration to thrive. What is needed is a fundamental transformation, dismantling the current system and creating a framework that centers human dignity, offers clear pathways to legal status, and ensures an efficient, fair application process.
The immigration policies implemented by the White House and the Department of Homeland Security are the culmination of decades-long efforts to falsely criminalize immigrants and blame them for the deep economic inequities that exist in the United States. Using existing laws, these policies have been weaponized to justify enforcement practices that cause unnecessary suffering and harm to individuals, families, and communities across the country. The "One Big Beautiful Bill" passed last July is a monumental mistake. The partial government shutdown is indicative of Congress's belated realization that $190 billion allocated to DHS is being squandered for mass incarceration and mass deportation.
The congressional hearings reflect how democracy is strengthened when the legislative branch fulfills its oversight role and demands accountability. This scrutiny must continue. In addition, independent and impartial investigations into criminal and civil liability, both individual and leadership, for the crimes committed, must be conducted.
Xenophobia and rejection of migration were the motivations that Kristi Noem displayed as Secretary of Homeland Security, and this will continue if there are no profound structural reforms. The courts cannot abdicate their role and allow the government to act without a system of checks and balances. Congress must continue to fulfill its role, overseeing and closely monitoring what is happening. Immigration policy must change now!
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Alianza Americas is a transnational network of migrant-led organizations in the United States. We advocate for social justice, equity, and human rights in the Americas.
