Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Thursday that more than 1.6 million illegal aliens have self-deported in the last 200 days, arguing that President Donald Trump’s approach to manage illegal immigration was working.

Noem began with a post on X announcing the news and noting the positive impact that would have on the population in general.

“In less than 200 days, 1.6 MILLION illegal immigrants have left the United States population. This is massive. This means safer streets, taxpayer savings, pressure off of schools and hospital services and better job opportunities for Americans,” she said.

In less than 200 days, 1.6 MILLION illegal immigrants have left the United States population. This is massive. This means safer streets, taxpayer savings, pressure off of schools and hospital services and better job opportunities for Americans.

Thank you @POTUS Trump!

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) August 14, 2025

She followed that with some details during an appearance Thursday on Fox News, saying that it was proof Trump’s policies were working to keep the American public safe.

WATCH:

🚨 @Sec_Noem: 1.6M illegal aliens have voluntarily left the United States.

“The world got the message. They’re leaving on their own, which is the best thing for American citizens.” https://t.co/NmKYlSMWJX pic.twitter.com/I1Hu6zt4m5

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 14, 2025

“We have 1.6 [million] illegal immigrants that have left this country voluntarily,” she said. “And I think these numbers just show exactly the genius of Donald J. Trump, the brilliant mind that he has, that when he was elected in November, he knew he had to make America safe again, and he said, ‘Kristi, if you’re going to be my Homeland Security Secretary, we’re going to follow the law, you’re going to do commercials, you’re going to tell the world that no longer will we tolerate people being in our country illegally, and that they need to go home.'”

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Noem went on to say that even before he was elected, Trump had telegraphed his plan to make sure that there would be consequences if people continued to cross the border illegally.

“Overwhelmingly, the world got the message. They’re leaving on their own, which is the best thing for American citizens,” she said.

Director Ron Howard is reflecting on “Hillbilly Elegy,” the film he made about the early life of Vice President JD Vance, saying he’s surprised by the VP’s “divisive” rhetoric.

The filmmaker spoke with Vulture about his current thoughts on the 2020 film starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams as Vance’s Mamaw and mother, respectively. Actor Gabriel Basso played the adult version of the VP.

The movie was based on Vance’s best-selling 2016 memoir by the same name.

“It remains a bit of a surprise to me,” Howard told Vulture of Vance’s trajectory to the White House. “I would not have seen it coming, and I wouldn’t have expected his rhetoric to be as divisive as it sometimes is. By the way, I’m not following him or listening to every word.”

“He was trying to run an investment fund. So the run for Senate and the strategy he’s chosen to follow are not what I would’ve expected,” he added.

“I don’t think about it,” Howard told Vulture of the film’s legacy. “I know it’s a mixed bag and probably quite culturally divided. I also know that reviews were bad and the audience-reaction rating was pretty good.”

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When asked if he’s had any contact with Vance since filming and promoting the movie was done, the Oscar-winning director admitted he texted Vance after he won alongside Trump in 2024.

“I did one text, after the election, which was just sort of ‘Godspeed. Try to serve us well,’” Howard told the outlet.

Earlier this year, Basso said he doesn’t regret the part and thinks it’s “crazy” he played someone who eventually became vice president.

“It’s kind of weird to be included in that timeline,” the actor said of the part.

“When he’s thinking about his life — they made a movie of his book, and my name will always be in the description,” Basso said. “We talked a little bit. He’s a cool dude. We’re both from the Midwest. We just talked about life — about growing up in the woods.”

Meanwhile Close insists that Vance is totally different now than he was on set. “I don’t know what happened,” the actress told the audience of “The View” in January. “Power is probably the biggest aphrodisiac for a human being.”

“Hillbilly Elegy” is about Yale Law student JD Vance (Basso) reflecting on his turbulent upbringing in a working-class Appalachian family and his struggle to break free from cycles of poverty and alcoholism. Told through flashbacks, it follows Vance’s relationship with his strong-willed grandmother (Close) and his troubled mother (Adams). Major themes include redemption, forgiveness, resilience, and strong family ties.