How Kristi Noem, Trump’s homeland security pick, became an immigration ‘zealot’

Gov. Kristi L. Noem was preparing to announce that her state would be the first to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in response to an appeal from Texas .

She was mobilizing the state’s forces in a highly unusual way — bankrolled by an out-of-state billionaire.

Documents show how the governor positioned her as a hard-liner on immigration despite the 1,500 miles separating South Dakota from the southern border.

The South Dakota National Guard has participated in federal operations at the U.S.-Mexico border.

South Dakota's troops conducted observation along the Rio Grande between Del Rio and McAllen , Texas .

The initial mission cost about $1.5 million , which covered salaries, flights, lodging and 11 Humvees , among other equipment.

South Dakota’s adjutant general proposed that Noem describe her authority as a “sacred bond” to the National Guard .

Democrats in the state legislature blasted the arrangement, arguing that “privatized deployments set dangerous precedent for further political use of our National Guard” Noem said Mexican drug cartels were using the state and local law enforcement as bases of operation.