### DHS Secretary Noem Criticizes Biden Administration Over Asylum Backlog During an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem discussed the challenges facing the U.S. immigration system. The conversation followed a recent incident in which an asylum seeker from Afghanistan was accused of shooting two National Guard members in the capital. Noem stated that President Joe Biden’s administration “left a backlog of 1.5 million unprocessed asylum cases,” describing it as one of the major security and administrative problems inherited by the Department of Homeland Security. She emphasized that this backlog has overwhelmed immigration courts and border agencies, creating delays that compromise both efficiency and safety. > “The system right now is overloaded. Communities are struggling to manage an unprecedented wave of asylum claims that go unresolved for years,” said Noem. According to Noem, the Biden administration’s policies contributed to an influx of new asylum applications without sufficient staffing or infrastructure to process them. She called for stronger enforcement at the border and a review of existing asylum procedures to prevent further administrative gridlock. ### Broader Concerns About Immigration Policy Noem also touched on the strain experienced by local governments and law enforcement agencies due to federal inaction. She argued that the situation has left states with the burden of addressing migration issues that should be managed at the federal level. > “Our border policies must be clear and enforceable. When Washington fails to act, states are forced to carry the consequences,” she added. While critics of Noem have dismissed her comments as politically motivated, supporters believe her warning reflects growing frustration with the federal immigration system’s inability to process cases efficiently. *** **Author’s summary:** Kristi Noem criticized Biden for leaving 1.5 million asylum cases unresolved, arguing the backlog harms border security and burdens local authorities with federal immigration failures.

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RealClearPolitics on MSN — 2025-11-30