Former ICE Director to Oversee Comprehensive Border Security and Deportation Operations
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Tom Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to serve as his administration’s “border czar,” marking a return to aggressive immigration enforcement policies.
Presidential announcement
Trump announced Truth Social late Sunday, emphasizing Homan’s comprehensive authority over border security:
“I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation’s Borders (‘The Border Czar’), including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security,” Trump stated.
The president-elect expressed confidence in his choice, adding, “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders.”
Controversial background
Homan brings a history of supporting stringent immigration policies, including:
- Early advocacy for the “zero tolerance” policy that led to family separations at the southern border in 2018
- A pledge to “run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen”
- Current leadership of Border911, a nonprofit focused on undocumented immigration concerns
- A visiting fellowship at the Heritage Foundation
Current stance on deportations
In a recent CBS “60 Minutes” interview, Homan addressed concerns about family separations during mass deportations, stating, “Of course there is. Families can be deported together.”
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Homan characterized his planned approach: “It’s going to be a well-targeted, planned operation conducted by the men of ICE. The men and women of ICE do this daily. They’re good at it.” He emphasized that deportations would be a “humane operation.”
Campaign context
The appointment aligns with Trump’s campaign rhetoric on immigration, which has included controversial statements comparing migrants to:
- “Animals” and “gang members”
- The fictional character Hannibal Lecter
- Individuals from “jails, prisons, mental institutions, insane asylums”
Trump has also made inflammatory remarks about migrants “poisoning the blood of our country.”
Homan’s appointment follows Trump’s earlier announcement of Susie Wiles, his co-campaign manager, as incoming White House chief of staff, as the president-elect continues to shape his future administration.
Professional background
Homan currently serves multiple roles:
- President and CEO of Border911
- Visiting Fellow at the Heritage Foundation
- Contributor to Project 2025’s Mandate for Leadership book
Neither Border911 nor the Heritage Foundation provided immediate comment on Homan’s appointment.