President-elect Donald Trump announced late Sunday that Tom Homan, former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will serve as “border czar” in his upcoming administration.
Homan, a strong supporter of Trump’s immigration policies, is expected to lead efforts to tighten border security, focusing on the southern and northern borders, as well as maritime and aviation security.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump expressed confidence in Homan’s abilities, emphasizing his experience in border control and assigning him the task of overseeing the deportation of undocumented immigrants. “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders,” Trump said. “He will do a fantastic, and long-awaited job.”
Trump’s agenda is anticipated to center on strict immigration measures from day one, with Homan positioned to carry out these initiatives. Trump has also pledged to conduct a large-scale deportation operation in coordination with local law enforcement, though specifics on funding and impacts have yet to be outlined.
Additionally, Trump has vowed to issue an executive order on his first day in office to stop federal agencies from granting automatic U.S. citizenship to children born to immigrants in the country illegally, challenging birthright citizenship—a move likely to face legal opposition.
Trump may also resume the southern border wall construction halted by the Biden administration and consider reviving policies such as the “Remain in Mexico” program, which requires asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. immigration court decisions.
Homan, who led ICE during Trump’s first term and has since been vocal in conservative circles supporting Trump’s policies, addressed concerns about family separations in a recent interview, stating, “Families can be deported together.”
