Social communicator and migration activist Carlos Eduardo Espina has sharply criticized U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, following the release of a video allegedly showing her celebrating her 54th birthday at a Mexican restaurant.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media platforms, depicts Noem smiling as she is serenaded with "Happy Birthday" in Spanish while a waiter places a Mexican sombrero on her head.
"This is an insult to our people," Espina remarked in his video. "Just look at how Kristi Noem celebrated her 54th birthday. Yes, the one responsible for deporting millions of Latinos celebrated by singing in Spanish and donning a Mexican sombrero. And the worst part is seeing these Latinos applaud and celebrate her. It's truly embarrassing to witness this."
Noem, born in 1971, celebrates her birthday on November 30. In the video, which has been shared by numerous social media profiles, she appears cheerful and even responds to the waiters with a hearty "gracias" in Spanish.
The controversy emerges amidst Noem's increasingly hardline stance on immigration, marking her as one of the most radical figures within the Trump administration.
Earlier this week, the Secretary of Homeland Security publicly urged Trump to enforce a complete travel ban from countries she claims have "flooded the nation with foreign invaders."
"I recommend a total travel ban on all countries that have been inundating our nation with murderers, leeches, and welfare addicts," Noem wrote on X, igniting a wave of criticism over her xenophobic rhetoric.
Meanwhile, activists like Espina warn that actions such as her birthday celebration are merely a display of "political hypocrisy" towards the Latino communities that Noem herself has labeled as a "threat."
Exploring the Impact of Kristi Noem's Birthday Celebration
Why was Kristi Noem's birthday celebration seen as controversial?
The celebration was seen as controversial because it included elements of Latino culture, such as singing in Spanish and wearing a Mexican sombrero, which some viewed as mocking given Noem's hardline stance on immigration.
What has been Kristi Noem's position on immigration?
Kristi Noem has been known for her strict immigration policies and rhetoric, often advocating for measures such as travel bans and tightening immigration controls.
How have Latino communities responded to Kristi Noem's actions?
Many within Latino communities and activist circles have criticized Noem's actions as hypocritical and offensive, pointing to her policy decisions and public statements as harmful to their communities.