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Jimmy Williams
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as his administration’s “border czar,” granting him sweeping authority over immigration enforcement, including potential mass deportations and border security.
Trump announced Homan’s appointment late Sunday on Truth Social, calling him a “stalwart on Border Control” and the ideal choice for the role. “Tom Homan will be in charge of our Nation’s Borders, including the Southern Border, Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security,” Trump posted. “Likewise, he will oversee all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin.”
A longtime ally of Trump on immigration issues, Homan is known for his support of strict policies and previously vowed to “run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen.” As acting ICE director during Trump’s first administration, Homan endorsed the controversial “zero tolerance” policy, which led to the separation of thousands of families at the U.S.-Mexico border. Amid public backlash, Trump signed an executive order in 2018 to halt family separations, though Homan continued to defend the policy.
Homan’s stance on mass deportations aligns with Trump’s 2024 immigration platform, which includes deploying the “largest deportation effort in American history.” During an October interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes, Homan reaffirmed his hardline stance, responding to questions about family separation: “Of course there is [a way to carry out mass deportations without separating families]. Families can be deported together.”
Two individuals familiar with the decision confirmed that Homan’s authority could allow him to shape policy, potentially authorizing deportations and tightening security at both the southern and northern borders. “Tom has the full support of the President-elect,” one official said. Homan will report directly to Trump, bypassing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a department that saw frequent turnover among leaders during Trump’s first term.
The appointment comes as Trump ramps up his campaign promises to seal the border and tackle undocumented immigration through enhanced deportations and a proposed ban on sanctuary cities. Homan’s appointment signals a renewed focus on stringent immigration policies that were central to Trump’s earlier administration and widely popular among his base.
Homan will now be tasked with directing immigration enforcement policies while working closely with agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to control unauthorized border crossings. His mandate may also involve collaborations with the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on maritime and aviation security.
The announcement underscores Trump’s plan to prioritize border security and immigration enforcement in his second term, echoing his campaign promises to implement stronger barriers at entry points and deploy additional resources to enforce immigration laws.
