President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Tom Homan, who previously served as the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will take on the role of “border czar” in his forthcoming administration.
In a post on his Truth Social platform late Sunday, Trump expressed his satisfaction with the appointment, stating, “I am excited to share that Tom Homan, the former ICE Director and a strong advocate for border security, will be joining my administration to oversee our Nation’s Borders.”
Homan’s appointment was anticipated, given Trump’s commitment to initiating what he described as the most extensive deportation effort in U.S. history.
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Trump mentioned that Homan will not only supervise the southern and northern borders but will also be responsible for “maritime and aviation security.” Furthermore, Homan will lead efforts to “deport illegal aliens back to their countries of origin,” which is a key component of Trump’s agenda.
Trump expressed his confidence in Homan’s capabilities, stating he has “no doubt” that Homan “will excel in this long-awaited role.”
Notably, this position does not require confirmation by the Senate.
In a recent interview on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Homan clarified that the military would not be involved in apprehending undocumented immigrants, emphasizing that ICE plans to implement Trump’s strategies in a “humane manner.”
“The operation will be carefully targeted and planned, executed by the skilled men and women of ICE. They carry out such tasks daily and are proficient at it,” he remarked. “When we conduct these operations, we will know who we are targeting and where to find them, ensuring it is done humanely.”
Earlier this year at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, Homan voiced his dissatisfaction with the media’s portrayal of a mass deportation initiative.
“Just wait until 2025,” he said, noting that while he believes national security threats should be prioritized, “no one is exempt. If you are here illegally, you should be looking over your shoulder.”
He added, “You have my word. When Trump returns in January, I will be right there with him, and I will orchestrate the largest deportation operation this country has ever witnessed.”
—Report contributed by Adriana Gomez Licon from the Associated Press in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
