President-elect Donald Trump selected Tom Homan as his border czar, announcing the appointment on social media Sunday. “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin,” Trump said.
Background and experience
Mr. Homan began his career as a Border Patrol agent before moving to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He served as acting director at ICE at the start of the Trump administration. While nominated to hold the position permanently, he never received a Senate confirmation vote.
Role and responsibilities
While there is no formal border czar position in government, the role will likely mean Mr. Homan will serve as the president’s senior adviser on immigration issues, with authority to coordinate policy among various agencies and to see that the president’s wishes are carried out.
Homan’s priorities
In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Mr. Homan outlined several priorities:
• “Public safety threats and national security threats” will be his top priority.
• Targeting the estimated 1.1 million illegal immigrants who are already under deportation orders but refusing to comply.
• Taking on drug and migrant-smuggling cartels. “The criminal cartels are going to be put out of business by this president,” he said in the interview.
Stance on sanctuary cities
Mr. Homan delivered a direct message to sanctuary cities in his Fox News interview: “If sanctuary cities don’t want to help us, then get the hell out of the way. We’re coming.” He stated that these jurisdictions won’t be able to protect illegal immigrants from deportation.
Reception
According to Mr. Homan, his phone has been “inundated with inquiries from former Border Patrol agents and ICE employees” who are excited about his return. He also noted that he has received “death threats rolling in.”
Context within administration
The appointment was announced alongside other key positions, including Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy and Rep. Elise Stefanik as nominee for U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Mr. Miller previously served as an architect of Mr. Trump’s immigration policy during his first term.
Historical context
In the Biden administration, Vice President Kamala Harris was dubbed the border czar by news media and Washington politicians after President Biden gave her the job of trying to slow down the number of migrants leaving Central America in 2021. Ms. Harris resisted the czar label and avoided visiting the U.S.-Mexico border from summer 2021 until deep into this year’s presidential campaign.
Mr. Homan, who has been a fierce critic of the Biden administration’s handling of immigration, told Fox News he felt compelled to take the position, stating, “I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t.”
Read More: Trump’s new border czar puts sanctuary cities on notice: ‘Get the hell out of the way’
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