Kristi Noem criticized for wearing sombrero at Mexican restaurant despite advocating for increased deportations

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sparked a wave of online criticism after sharing a video showing her wearing a sombrero at a Mexican restaurant while staff sang "Happy Birthday" in Spanish. The footage, posted on November 29, shows restaurant employees removing what appears to be a DHS hat from Noems head and placing a sombrero on her instead. Noem claps, laughs, and eventually says gracias to the staff.

While some followers on social media offered birthday greetings and praise, many users condemned the gesture as tone-deaf and provocative. Critics highlighted the irony of the celebration, noting Noem leads a department responsible for deportation operations that have caused fear in Mexican-American and Spanish-speaking communities nationwide.

On TikTok, user @edwins.rosary commented that the video exemplifies sad times for Hispanic Americans, suggesting Noem was mocking the culture and language in the birthday song. He added, She is making fun of all the situations that are going on right now.

Other commentators echoed similar concerns. X user Suzie Rizzio wrote, She is mocking the people she has deported. Why did this restaurant allow her in! Reddit user Alert-Jellyfish added, I wish they would all face the consequences of the atrocities they have all aided in committing but they wont. This is America.

The Department of Homeland Security has been contacted for comment.

Critics also linked Noems actions to broader controversies surrounding U.S. immigration enforcement. Donald Trump and his allies have long expressed hostility toward Mexican immigrants. Immigration raids conducted by agencies such as ICE and Customs and Border Protection have targeted Spanish-speaking communities, sometimes using physical appearance, language, and occupation as profiling tools. Many U.S. citizens have also been caught up in these enforcement actions.

As a result, neighborhoods with large Latino populations have reportedly become quieter, with some businesses experiencing reduced activity due to fear of raids. The administrations immigration policies have sparked protests, with some officials dismissing demonstrations involving Mexican flags as support for illegal immigrants.

Author: Logan Reeves