DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s First Two Months Emphasize Deportations and Sanctuary‑City Pressure

Since taking office, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin has tried to reconcile President Trump’s demand for mass deportations with the operational limits that led to his predecessor’s removal. He has curtailed the controversial mobile immigration patrols that targeted Democratic‑leaning states and cities, while still publicly attacking elected officials in sanctuary jurisdictions.

Mullin redirected ICE agents to understaffed airports during a partial DHS shutdown and warned that funding could be cut for airports that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. He is promoting DHS involvement in security for dozens of upcoming World Cup matches, but has left open the possibility that agents at those events could detain immigrants, prompting boycott threats from fans.

Early in his tenure Mullin suspended plans for large migrant detention centers, though reports indicate those proposals are being reconsidered. A DHS spokesperson said the agency’s mission is to “make America safe again,” adding, “DHS continues to detain the worst criminals, guaranteeing the safest border in U.S. history and preventing drugs from flooding our communities.” White House border “czar” Tom Homan reiterated, “We do not give up.” Mullin has also faced internal debate over a suggested rebrand of ICE to “NICE.”