The key to knowing Tom Homan, Trump’s new “Border Czar” Immigration to the United States

President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Tom Homan, his former acting director of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as the “border czar” of his new administration. The assignment, which does not require Senate confirmation, puts Homan at the helm of oversight of U.S. immigration policy and border security, a key position amid Trump’s promises to begin mass deportations. With jurisdiction over the southern and northern borders as well as maritime and air security, the officer’s authority will span multiple areas of immigration law enforcement, putting him in the national spotlight.

Who is Tom Homan?

Homan, a New York native, worked as a border agent, investigator and supervisor before being named deputy acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement by then-President Barack Obama in 2013. He later became a prominent figure in the first Trump administration. He first joined ICE in 2017 as acting director, and his time there was spent defending controversial initiatives such as the family separation policy, which attracted media attention and were highly criticized by the public.

According to journalist Caitlin Dickerson Atlantic, The official conceived the idea of ​​separating children from their parents since 2014, arguing that it would be an effective way to discourage border crossings by people without papers. This immigration policy, collectively known as “zero tolerance,” was previously adopted by the Trump administration.

His views on immigration are based on his commitment to the rule of law and national security. For Homan, the concept of strict immigration enforcement is linked to concerns about security, criminal activity, and economic impact, ideas he has supported in public speeches and media appearances throughout his career.

In addition to supporting hardline policies, Homan has also made controversial comments on immigration. For example, he once suggested in Congress that undocumented immigrants “should be afraid” of deportation, a statement that sparked debate about the morality of immigration policy and its implementation. Additionally, during his time at the helm of ICE, record numbers of children were taken into U.S. custody, drawing criticism from immigrant rights groups and sparking a national debate about their treatment. The official defended these practices as necessary measures in an environment of increased border crossings, and often highlighted what he considered the legal and logistical challenges of managing large volumes of immigration cases. when he was interrogated 60 minutes Asked if there was a way to carry out mass deportations without separating families, he replied: “Sure, we could deport them all together.”

New “Border Jar”

In his new role, Homan noted plans to take a “targeted” approach to deportation campaigns, and said these efforts would not involve sweeping purges or untargeted mass detentions. It has expressed its intention to focus on identifying people with previous criminal convictions or those involved in criminal networks. It will also seek to promote efforts to control and sanction illegal recruitment practices, which in its opinion contribute to human trafficking and other situations of exploitation.

In a recent interview fox newsOutlined its position on sanctuary cities, jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Homan criticizes him, arguing that his policies create safe havens for people who violate immigration laws. He has advocated cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, saying that such cooperation is necessary to achieve Trump’s policy goals.

The official’s ties to Trump’s immigration agenda go beyond his previous role at ICE. In the time between his retirement in 2018 and his current appointment, he remained a strong supporter of Trump’s policies and continued to participate in the public debate on immigration. At the National Conservative Conference in Washington earlier this year, Homan reaffirmed his commitment to Trump’s immigration approach, saying that under his leadership, ICE would carry out what he called “the largest deportation campaign this country has ever seen.” ” Said. Although he says the deportation campaign will be carried out “in a humane manner”, his comments suggest he will increase the intensity of his efforts to curb immigration.

The official’s role as “border czar” will keep him in Trump’s inner circle of advisers, although he will have to work through agency heads to implement his policies. His position does not give him direct control over ICE, Customs and Border Protection or other related agencies, but he can have considerable influence over policy direction, especially given the confidence Trump has placed in him. Not requiring Senate confirmation, Homan can assume office immediately, giving the Trump administration flexibility in shaping immigration policy without the delays that come with the confirmation process.