US President-elect Donald Trump’s newly appointed border czar, Tom Homan, is set to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive deportation plan 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 prioritizing the removal of illegal immigrants, many of whom he argues should have already been deported under the previous administration.
Contrast with Biden’s border policy
Homan’s approach stands in stark contrast to Vice President Kamala Harris, who currently holds the position of border czar of the Biden administration. Harris has repeatedly insisted that the US border is secure and has said there is no immediate need for intervention. Under the Biden administration, however, the US has seen a record number of illegal border crossings, with nearly 14 million reported, the most in US history, according to Center Square.
“The whole theme is that millions of people have entered this country illegally, which is a crime,” Homan said, stressing that while the Biden administration argues that illegal immigrants have a right to sue. Asylum, data shows that nearly 90% of people who go before an immigration judge are ordered removed from the US because of a lack of merit claims.
Homan believes that given the large number of people ordered removed, the nation needs a “mass deportation operation,” saying, “Are these dirty words? No. After nine out of 10 removal orders have been ordered at the end of historic mass illegal immigration, there should be a mass deportation program. .
Public safety and national security
Homan outlined the main priorities of his deportation plan, which would 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 people from countries of foreign concern, who are considered high risk according to Homan.
With a number of individuals on a terrorist watchlist crossing the border, Homen has warned that the current crisis is the greatest threat to national security since the September 11 attacks. He confirmed that efforts will be made to work with the FBI and intelligence agencies to identify and locate these individuals.
The role of the US military
In his efforts to implement the deportation strategy, Homan announced that the US military would be involved, although he would not be arrested. “The military will provide air and ground transportation support, build construction and work on targeting intelligence,” Homan said. This 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 Defense (DOD) has assisted with border enforcement in various administrations, and under his leadership, that support will be expanded into non-law enforcement duties as well. “They can do all kinds of things that don’t require immigration authorities,” he said.
Encouraging voluntary deportation
Homan also encouraged foreign nationals living 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 a removal order, or if you haven’t, even if you’re in the country, leave on your own,” he advised. Voluntary departure, he said, would prevent penalties, including a 20-year ban on re-entering the US.
Homan made it clear that under his leadership the Trump administration would take a tougher stance on immigration, warning those who entered illegally would be held accountable. “You start packing now. Because you are going home,” he said.