MANHATTAN, N.Y. (WPIX) – One day after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed a mother in Minneapolis, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem encouraged the public to thank officers for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. "Do something nice for them, buy them lunch," sh e said during a briefing about ICE operations in New York City on Thursday morning. Noem made the suggestion while announcing the arrest of 54 people in a crackdown in response to the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Protection officer in Fort Washington Park in July 2025. The Department of Homeland Security launched the joint enforcement, "Operation Salvo," with federal and local law agencies to target people said to be affiliated with the Trinitarios gang in New York City. According to Noem, the CBP attackers were connected with the gang. "Operation Salvo is just the beginning of a broader and a much more sustained effort to go after not only transnational criminal organizations and networks but illegal criminal aliens throughout the country," Noem said. Despite the warning, she would not answer reporter questions on whether the five boroughs would see a renewed surge in ICE operations or what they might look like. However, she added that she isn't opposed to sending more officers to Minneapolis if necessary. Protesters expected in Foley Square for ICE rallies: What to know In response to questions about the shooting, the DHS secretary doubled down on her support of the ICE agent’s actions. Noem maintained that the officer "followed his training" when he fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, 37, a mother of three who recently moved to Minneapolis. "They were impeding our law enforcement operations, which is against the law, and when they [ICE] demanded and commanded her to come out of her vehicle several times she did not," said Noem. According to Good's ex-husband, she had just dropped off her 6-year-old son at school and was driving home with her current partner when they encountered the ICE agents. Social media video of the incident shows an officer approaching Good's car, demanding she open the door and grabbing the handle. When she pulled forward, a different ICE officer standing in front of the vehicle fired at least two shots. "It was a tragic situation that I hope we never see happen again, that's why I'm encouraging all elected leaders to work together so that we can be cooperative in getting dangerous criminals off of our streets," Noem said in a message to Good's family. New York State representative Alex Bores criticized Noem directly during a protest on Wednesday, saying "not only was the ICE agent's hand on the gun, but Secretary Noem's hand was on the gun." In response, Noem called the comments "provocative talk inciting people to take action." Advocates have planned to continue demonstrations throughout Thursday, with protests in Foley Square at 5:30 p.m. ...read more read less