Tom Homan: What you need to know about Trump’s new ‘border czar’

President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Tom Homan, his former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as his new administration’s “border czar.” This assignment, which does not require Senate confirmation, puts Homan at the helm of overseeing U.S. immigration policy and border security, a critical post amid Trump’s promises to carry the largest deportation operation in history. With jurisdiction over the southern and northern borders, as well as maritime and aviation security, the official’s authority will extend to several areas of immigration enforcement, and place 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 executive director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2013 by then-president Barack Obama. 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 marked by controversial initiatives, such as the family separation policy, which attracted media attention and was highly criticized by the public.

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

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

In addition to championing heavy-handed 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 ethics of immigration policy and enforcement. Also, during his time at the helm of ICE, a record number of children were taken into U.S. custody, drawing criticism from immigrant rights groups and sparking national debate over their treatment. The official defended these practices as necessary measures in an environment of increased border crossings, and often highlighted what he saw as the legal and logistical challenges of handling large volumes of immigration cases. When questioned by 60 Minutes about whether there was a way to do mass deportation without separating families, he responded, “Sure, we can deport them all together.”

The new ‘border czar’

For his new position, Homan has mentioned that he plans to take a “selective” approach to deportation operations, and states that these efforts will not involve widespread sweeps or mass arrests without specific targets. He has expressed his intention to focus on identifying individuals with prior criminal convictions or involved in criminal networks. He will also seek to boost efforts to control and sanction illegal recruitment practices, which he believes contribute to human trafficking and other exploitative situations.

In a recent interview on Fox News, he outlined his position on sanctuary cities — jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Homan criticizes them on the grounds that their policies create havens for people who violate immigration laws. He has advocated for cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, and claims that such cooperation is essential to achieving Trump’s policy goals.

The official’s connection to Trump’s immigration agenda goes beyond his previous role at ICE. In the time between his retirement in 2018 and his current appointment, he has remained a staunch supporter of Trump’s policies and has 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 vision, and said that under his leadership, ICE would conduct what he called “the largest deportation operation this country has ever seen.” While he maintains that deportation operations will be conducted in a “humane manner,” his comments suggest that he will increase the intensity in his efforts to stop immigration.

The officer’s role as “border czar” will place him within Trump’s close 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 his influence on policy direction could be considerable, especially given the trust Trump has placed in him. By not needing Senate confirmation, Homan can take office immediately, giving the Trump administration flexibility to shape immigration policy without the delays often involved in the confirmation process.

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