Thomas Homan has been appointed by President-elect Donald Trump to spearhead his stringent immigration policies as the new "border czar."
Politico reported that Homan vows to significantly increase deportations and target sanctuary cities, enhancing what he sees as essential for national security.
President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Thomas Homan as the "border czar," a position dedicated to enforcing U.S. immigration laws, through a post on the Truth Social platform late Sunday night.
Homan, who previously served as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is known for his rigorous approach to immigration enforcement, including his implementation of family separation policies during Trump's first term in office.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the current administration's management of border security, Homan confirmed that his responsibilities as border czar would closely reflect his previous tenure at ICE. "I’ve got to go back and help because every morning I get up, every morning I'm pissed off about what this [Biden] administration did to the most secure border in my lifetime. So I'm going to go back and do what I can to fix it,” Homan stated, underscoring his motivation to return to immigration enforcement.
While his role does not require Senate confirmation, Homan's return to the forefront of U.S. border policy has sparked both support and controversy. He has faced numerous death threats following his appointment, leading to significant safety concerns for his family.
Homan's plans include a drastic increase in deportation efforts. "Deportations will increase significantly under my watch," he commented, signaling a tough stance against illegal immigration. He also aimed at sanctuary cities, challenging local governments to either assist federal enforcement efforts or step aside.
His determination to enforce immigration laws more stringently extends to his promise of deploying more federal agents to cities that resist cooperation with ICE.
"If we can't get assistance in New York City, we may have to double the number of agents we send to New York City. We are going to do the job. We are going to do the job without you or with you,” Homan asserted.
This aggressive strategy has garnered strong backing from law enforcement and retired military personnel, many of whom have reached out to express their support and willingness to assist in the enforcement operations.
According to Homan, this overwhelming support from former colleagues and new volunteers has highlighted the importance of his mission.
Moving forward, Homan is undeterred by personal threats which have escalated to the point of his family needing to relocate for safety.
"They are not going to bully me away, they are not going to shut me up and they are not going to make me go away," Homan defiantly declared. He views the current state of border control as "the biggest national security vulnerability this nation has seen since 9/11." His steadfast commitment reflects his deep-seated belief in the necessity of securing the nation’s borders.
Homan's reappointment and the subsequent revitalization of strict immigration tactics mark a notable shift in U.S. immigration policy under the upcoming Trump administration.
As border czar, Homan's role will be pivotal in shaping the enforcement landscape and addressing what he and Trump view as critical threats to national security.
Thomas Homan’s unyielding approach to enhancing border security amidst personal challenges illustrates the administration’s broader commitment to stringent, enforced immigration controls.