Washington, D.C., March 5, 2026 – National Parents Union President Keri Rodrigues released the following statement in response to President Trump firing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem:
“Kristi Noem’s tenure at Homeland Security will be remembered for policies that terrorized immigrant families and put children directly in harm’s way.
Across the country, parents watched ICE raids rip through communities, leaving kids frightened, families separated, and trust in government shattered.
Protecting our country should never mean traumatizing children. Families deserve leadership that keeps communities safe without sacrificing our humanity.
As Senator Markwayne Mullin prepares to step into leadership at DHS, we urge him to take immediate action to restore trust with American families by reaffirming and strengthening protections for sensitive locations.
Schools, hospitals, and places of worship must remain protected spaces where families can learn, heal, and pray without fear of immigration enforcement actions.
And parents demand clear guardrails to keep dangerous immigration enforcement actions away from schools and these other essential community institutions.
Children cannot learn when they are afraid to walk into their classrooms. Communities cannot thrive when families fear seeking medical care or attending church.
The National Parents Union stands ready to work with the incoming Secretary to ensure that federal policies put the safety, dignity, and well-being of children and families first. America is strongest when our schools and communities are places of safety — not fear.”
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/