The US Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, has ignited a fierce backlash after choosing to celebrate her 54th birthday at a Mexican restaurant, an act critics have labelled as deeply ironic given her role in overseeing the largest-ever deportation raids targeting Hispanic communities.
A Birthday Celebration Under Fire
On November 29, a day before her birthday, Noem dined with her family at Santo Tequila, a Mexican restaurant in Watertown, South Dakota. During the meal, staff performed their customary birthday routine, which involved replacing Noem's government-emblemed ball cap with a pink and yellow sombrero and singing 'Happy Birthday' to her in Spanish. A video of the event, shared on social media, shows Noem clapping with a baby on her lap as a large sparkler adorned her dessert.
Public Outcry and Restaurant Fallout
The reaction on platforms like Reddit and Facebook was swift and scathing. Many users highlighted the stark contrast between the festive scene and Noem's political actions. As a key architect of President Donald Trump's hawkish migrant crackdown, Noem has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct nationwide raids, rounding up and deporting undocumented immigrants, a majority of whom are Hispanic.
Commenters directed anger both at Noem and the restaurant. One Reddit user questioned, 'Why wasn't she told to leave?' while others suggested that ICE agents should be refused service at Mexican establishments as a show of solidarity. There were even vulgar speculations that staff might have contaminated her food, though the restaurant strongly denies any malice.
The Restaurant's Defence and Consequences
The manager of Santo Tequila gave an exclusive statement to the Daily Mail, explaining that staff were unaware of Noem's identity at the time. He stated that her husband, Bryon Noem, made the reservation and that the team simply provided the same birthday treatment offered to any guest. The manager confirmed they sing in English or Spanish based on the diner's preference.
However, he admitted the restaurant has faced significant blowback since the visit, receiving a flood of hostile phone calls, particularly from members of the Hispanic community. 'The only thing we know is that we treat everyone equally and they will always be welcome,' the manager said, emphasising their policy of openness. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the video or the ensuing controversy.
The incident underscores the intense political and cultural divisions surrounding US immigration policy, where a personal celebration has become a very public flashpoint.
