Border Czar Tom Homan Predicts Widespread Arrests Under New Deportation Plan
As preparations for large-scale deportations ramp up, Tom Homan, the incoming border czar, warns that many undocumented immigrants without prior arrests could be caught up in the process.
In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Homan detailed the new administration’s approach to detaining and deporting hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
Homan emphasized that undocumented immigrants whose only offense is entering the country illegally should be returned to their home countries, even if they are family members or housemates of someone with an active arrest warrant.
“In sanctuary cities, expect a lot of collateral arrests,” Homan explained. “Not just priority criminal arrests. If we can’t apprehend offenders in jail, we’ll have to locate them in the community, which will inevitably lead to others being arrested as well.”
Currently, immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities faces hurdles as local and state governments, particularly in areas like California, refuse to transfer detainees from local jails to federal custody. These jurisdictions, often Democrat-led, argue that it’s not their role to assist federal law enforcement.
As a result, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) must conduct arrests at homes, workplaces, or other public locations. The incoming administration plans to prioritize individuals with criminal records and the 1.4 million undocumented immigrants already ordered for deportation by a judge but not yet removed.
“There are over 700,000 undocumented individuals with criminal convictions,” Homan stated.
Under the current administration, ICE has been instructed to focus on individuals convicted of serious crimes. However, with the incoming administration, enforcement will broaden significantly to include anyone in the country illegally.
“ICE is going to do what they’re good at,” Homan said.
The president-elect has indicated that mass deportations could involve millions of undocumented immigrants. In a recent interview, he stated, “You have no choice” but to remove those who are in the U.S. illegally.
Throughout his campaign, the president-elect emphasized immigration enforcement and crime reduction, making it a cornerstone of his platform. With a Republican-led Congress, his administration is expected to push for significant action on these issues, including deploying figures like Homan and senior adviser Stephen Miller to lead efforts.
Planning for these measures is already underway, according to Homan. “We’re starting across the country on the same day” the new administration takes office, he said.
Homan explained that all 24 ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field offices, which oversee multiple states, would receive immediate directives to locate, detain, and deport individuals with criminal arrests or convictions.
To expedite operations, Homan expressed a desire to use military planes for transporting detainees, calling them a potential “force multiplier.” Currently, ICE leases 13 planes from a private company to transport detainees domestically and for deportation flights.
“I made it clear that I want their assistance,” Homan said. “I hope we can make that happen.”
This large-scale deportation effort marks a significant escalation in immigration enforcement, with plans to target sanctuary cities and expand resources for swift action beginning on Day One of the new administration.
