Trump’s Choice for ‘Border Czar’ Reveals Strategy for Managing Illegal Immigration
Tom Homan asserts, “I don’t care if you’re Republican or Democrat or independent, for border security is national security.”
President-elect Donald Trump’s selection for the position of “border czar” on Monday provided more insights into the forthcoming administration’s strategies for addressing illegal immigration and border issues.
Trump announced Tom Homan, the former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the initial Trump administration, as the head of his agency’s border operations on Sunday evening.
Homan emphasized, “I don’t care if you’re Republican or Democrat or independent, for border security is national security. We should all be on the same side when it comes to that.”
A former Border Patrol agent, Homan expressed his intention to prioritize addressing “public safety threats and national security threats” and conduct more inspections at workplaces to identify illegal immigrants.
“Worksite operations are essential,” he commented. “Where do we find most victims of sex trafficking and forced labor trafficking? At work sites.”
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Homan also mentioned that he would concentrate on deporting illegal immigrants who have been ordered to leave after unsuccessful asylum claims, stating, “Once the due process is completed, if the judge mandates their return, then we have to implement that decision.”
“Because if we don’t, what are we even doing?” Homan questioned. “If the judge’s ruling holds no significance, then we might as well close down immigration court.”
While Homan expressed a desire for cooperation from local law enforcement, he cautioned that if Democratic-led “sanctuary” areas like New York City resist, he would consider deploying more ICE officers.
“We will carry out the responsibilities, with or without your support,” Homan declared.
The title of “border czar” is not an official designation within the Department of Homeland Security, the federal agency overseeing border and immigration enforcement. However, Trump’s announcement signifies one of the president-elect’s initial actions, indicating a strong emphasis on border issues.
This position does not require Senate confirmation. President Joe Biden appointed Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in the 2024 election, as his “border czar,” a decision that faced criticism from Trump and Republicans during the campaign.
In 2018, Homan and other senior Trump immigration officials recommended implementing a stringent border policy that resulted in the separation of thousands of illegal immigrant families at the border. In recent interviews, Homan suggested a more humane approach involving the deportation of illegal immigrant families together.
During a “60 Minutes” interview in late October, Homan discussed Trump’s plan to carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants.
Responding to journalist Cecelia Vega’s question about whether it was possible to deport large numbers of individuals without separating families, Homan replied, “Absolutely. Families can be deported together.”
Trump has not yet announced his nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, responsible for overseeing U.S. Customs and Border Protection and ICE, as he continues to meet with potential candidates for his administration.
Vice President-elect JD Vance confirmed reports on Monday that Trump immigration adviser Stephen Miller would serve as White House deputy chief of staff for policy. Miller previously served as a White House senior adviser during Trump’s first term and was instrumental in shaping Trump’s immigration policies.
In his announcement on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump stated that Homan would be “in charge of our nation’s borders (‘The Border Czar’), overseeing, among other areas, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, Maritime, and Aviation Security,” including managing deportations.
Reuters contributed to this report.
