DHS Sec. Kristi Noem Takes ICE Air Back to U.S. After Plane Glitch on Central America Security Tour

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

By Anoop Jain | June 28, 2025

Guatemala City, Guatemala — In a twist that sounds like a scene out of a political action movie, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem hitched an unexpected ride home to the United States aboard an ICE Air deportation flight after her official aircraft encountered mechanical issues while grounded in Guatemala.

The DHS chief had just concluded a high-level multi-nation tour across Central America, focusing on expanding U.S. security partnerships, immigration enforcement, and biometric cooperation. According to sources close to the trip, Noem’s aircraft became temporarily disabled just as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plane transporting criminal illegal aliens back to Central America landed on the same tarmac. Seizing the opportunity, the Secretary boarded the return flight to the United States alongside federal agents and deportees.

“Great flight,” Noem posted humorously on social media, later adding, “Use the CBP One App to self-deport now!”

Touring the Frontlines of the Border Crisis

Secretary Noem’s ride home may have gone viral, but the mission she undertook across Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala was all business.

June 24 – Panama

Noem met with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino and his cabinet to underscore U.S.–Panama cooperation on illegal immigration and maritime security. Panama has played a central role in:

• Reducing illegal crossings through the treacherous Darien Gap

• Participating in the Repatriation Assistance Program

• Setting the gold standard for the Biometric Data Sharing Partnership

“To strengthen our alliance, it’s essential that U.S. warships and auxiliary vessels freely pass through the Panama Canal,” said Noem. 

Today in Panama I met with President @JoseRaulMulino and Panamanian ministers to discuss our continued collaboration on illegal immigration. Panama has been a key regional ally — contributing to the dramatic decrease in illegal immigration through the Darien Gap, participating in… pic.twitter.com/LYosZstWFG

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 24, 2025

June 25 – U.S. Coast Guard Operations

While visiting U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba docked in Panama City, Noem praised its crew’s tireless work in countering drug and migrant smuggling efforts. Panama remains a key partner in cutting off cartel operations before they reach U.S. shores. 

The crew of @USCG Cutter Escanaba, in Panama City, Panama, is doing outstanding work in countering illegal drug and migration flows.

Panama has been a strong partner in combating the cartels from reaching U.S. soil. pic.twitter.com/SqgeS9pbcI

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 25, 2025

June 26 – Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, Noem toured the Los Lagos Detention Facility, where she emphasized bilateral efforts to track and remove dangerous individuals, including terror suspects and fugitives. Costa Rica and the U.S. now share biometric data, allowing both nations to more effectively identify migrants traveling under false identities.

She also signed a Joint Letter of Intent for Costa Rica to become a Global Entry partner, streamlining legal travel while enhancing vetting and security protocols.

“I’m grateful for Costa Rica’s efforts to extradite fugitives and flag dangerous individuals trying to reach the U.S.,” she stated.

Honduras Partnership Grows

Noem concluded her tour in Honduras, thanking President Xiomara Castro de Zelaya for her leadership in the inaugural Project Homecoming flight, which voluntarily returned 38 Hondurans. The U.S. and Honduras also signed a Statement of Intent on biometric cooperation to stop criminals and terrorists from exploiting border loopholes.

“Honduras has been a vital partner in protecting both of our nations,” Noem emphasized.

Reinforcing National Security—By Air, Land, and Policy

Secretary Noem’s multi-nation mission underscores DHS’s aggressive posture on immigration enforcement, biometric tracking, and international cooperation. Though her return flight on ICE Air made headlines, it was emblematic of the very system she’s fighting to reinforce: one that deports criminals, protects the homeland, and partners globally to stop threats before they reach American soil.

“Make America Safe Again,” Noem concluded in her trip wrap-up—sending a clear message that border security doesn’t end at the U.S. border.

 

I visited Costa Rica’s Los Lagos Detention Facility, used by the Costa Rican Immigration Police to house and process criminal illegal aliens—including terrorists.

Our two nations have partnered to share biometric data, which allows us to identify the risk posed by travelers and… pic.twitter.com/sAoUrAE80q

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 25, 2025

Thank you, President @XiomaraCastroZ , for hosting me in Honduras! Honduras has been a vital partner in Project Homecoming, with the inaugural flight successfully returning 38 Hondurans to their home country voluntarily.

We strengthened our partnership to combat illegal… pic.twitter.com/9TZgndbW5C

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 26, 2025

Today, I met with Costa Rican President @RodrigoChavesR to discuss how our two nations can improve cooperation on reducing illegal migration, stopping drug trafficking, and strengthening border security and law enforcement efforts.

I am grateful for Costa Rica’s efforts to… pic.twitter.com/fHdvpaGIPZ

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 25, 2025

Top 5 FAQs – Kristi Noem’s Central America Tour & ICE Air Return

1. Why did Secretary Kristi Noem return to the U.S. on an ICE deportation flight?
Answer: Her official aircraft experienced mechanical issues while on the ground in Guatemala. Coincidentally, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation flight had just landed nearby. Noem hitched a ride back to the U.S. on the returning aircraft, which was carrying criminal illegal aliens.

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2. What was the purpose of Secretary Noem’s tour of Central America?
Answer: The tour focused on strengthening U.S. partnerships with regional allies to combat illegal immigration, share biometric data, fight drug trafficking, and improve border security through cooperative agreements.

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3. Which countries did Noem visit during her trip?
Answer: Secretary Noem visited Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala from June 24–26, 2025.

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4. What major agreements or outcomes resulted from the trip?
Answer:

• Costa Rica signed a Joint Letter of Intent to join the Global Entry program.

• Honduras expanded cooperation on biometric data and conducted the inaugural Project Homecoming deportation flight.

• Panama reaffirmed its commitment to biometric screening and allowing free passage of U.S. naval vessels through the Panama Canal.

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5. How does this tour align with DHS’s current strategy on immigration?
Answer: The trip reflects DHS’s focus on proactive, international cooperation to stop illegal immigration and transnational crime at its source. The expansion of biometric sharing, repatriation programs, and extradition efforts are key pillars of the department’s mission to “Make America Safe Again.”