Noem handpicked contractors to lead a $100 million ICE recruitment campaign, sources say [View all]

Source: NBC News

March 5, 2026, 2:10 PM EST


Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem handpicked contractors to lead a $100 million campaign to recruit Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers instead of allowing competitive bidding for the jobs, according to three administration officials and internal communications reviewed by NBC News. Typically, multiple companies are allowed to bid on a contract and officials who handle government procurement - not the leaders of departments - decide based on who can do the best job for the lowest price.

President Donald Trump announced in a social media post Thursday that Noem would leave office effective March 31. Her place in the administration became increasingly unstable following the killing of U.S. citizens during immigration operations in Minneapolis; her fraying relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard, the only branch of the military under her command; and her comments this week in a Congress hearing that rankled Trump.

The president said that Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., would replace her. Trump said Noem would move to a new position, special envoy for "The Shield of the Americas."

In August, then-ICE deputy chief of staff Madison Sheahan threatened the job of an ICE employee for suggesting that the agency consider other contractors, according to internal communications. Sheahan said the contract award was "a decision made by the secretary," according to internal communications.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/noem-handpicked-contractors-lead-100-million-ice-recruitment-campaign-rcna261968