US President-elect Donald Trump’s newly appointed border czar, Tom Homan, is set to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive deportation plan that aims to address the ongoing immigration crisis in the United States. Homan, who will take office in January, spoke to The Center Square about his strategy, which includes prioritising the removal of illegal immigrants, many of whom he argues should have already been deported under previous administrations.
Contrast with Biden’s border policy
Homan’s approach marks a stark contrast to that of vice president Kamala Harris, who currently holds the position of the Biden administration’s border czar.Harris has repeatedly insisted that the US border is secure and stated that there was no immediate need for intervention. Under the Biden administration, however, the US has witnessed record numbers of illegal border crossings, with about 14 million reported, the highest in US history, according to Center Square.
“The overarching theme,” Homan said, “is millions of people entered this country illegally, which is a crime,” as reported by the New York Post. He stressed that while the Biden administration has argued that illegal immigrants have a right to claim asylum, data shows that nearly 90% of those who go before an immigration judge are ordered to be removed from the US due to a lack of qualifying claims.
Homan believes that given the large number of individuals ordered for removal, the nation needs a “mass deportation operation,” saying, “Are these dirty words? No. On the end of historic mass illegal immigration with nine out of 10 getting orders for removal, there has to be a mass deportation programme.”
Public safety and national security
Homan outlined the key priorities of his deportation plan, which will focus on individuals who pose a threat to public safety, national security, or who have become fugitives after being ordered to leave. This includes individuals on the federal Terrorist Watch List, as well as those from countries of foreign concern, who are considered high-risk, as per Homan
With a record number of individuals on the terrorist watchlist crossing the border, Homan has warned that the current crisis is the biggest national security threat since the September 11 attacks. He confirmed that efforts would be made to work closely with the FBI and intelligence agencies to identify and locate these individuals.
Role of US military
In his efforts to enforce the deportation strategy, Homan revealed that the US military will be involved, although it will not be carrying out arrests. “The military will provide air and ground transportation assistance, work on construction building and intelligence targeting,” Homan said. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), US Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will continue to have the legal authority to make arrests.
Homan added that the Department of Defence (DOD) has assisted in border enforcement across various administrations, and under his leadership, that support will be expanded to non-law enforcement duties as well. “They can do all kinds of things that don’t require immigration authority,” he said.
Encouraging voluntary deportation
Homan also encouraged foreign nationals currently in the US illegally to voluntarily return to their countries of origin before facing formal deportation orders. “If you’re in the country illegally and you’ve got an order for removal, or even if you don’t have one, if you’re in the country, leave on your own,” he advised. Voluntary departure, he said, would prevent penalties, including a 20-year ban from re-entering the US.
Homan made it clear that under his leadership, the Trump administration will take a hardline stance on immigration, warning those who entered illegally that they would be held accountable. “You better start packing now. Because you are going home,” he said.
