Kristi Noem was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as President Donald Trump's Homeland Security secretary on Saturday, putting into position a key member of the Republican's Cabinet as he launches a wide-ranging immigration crackdown.

The role is key to Trump’s plans for his second term after pledging to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and impose a crackdown at the southern border.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is vying to become the next homeland security secretary. Her Friday hearing was the first chance she had to lay out a vision for the sprawling department central to Donald Trump's plans for tackling immigration.