Trump 'Border Czar': Noncompliant States Will Face Funding Cuts

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Facts

  • Tom Homan, Pres.-elect Donald Trump's pick for "border czar," Sunday in an interview said "federal funds should be slashed" to states that refuse to cooperate with the federal government's plans to deport immigrants who are in the US illegally.[1]
  • Homan, who was acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump's first presidential term, was rebuking comments from several Democratic governments suggesting they'll resist Trump's plans — which include using the US military to conduct deportations.[2]
  • In a separate Fox News interview Monday, Homan responded to Democratic Denver Mayor Mike Johnston expressing willingness to go to jail rather than comply with the Trump administration by saying, "But, look, me and the Denver mayor, we agree on one thing. He's willing to go to jail, I'm willing to put him in jail."[3]
  • Homan cited Title 8 of the United States Code 1324 (iii), which says it's a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal immigrants who are in the US illegally and/or to impede a federal law enforcement officer.[4]
  • On Tuesday, Homan and Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott were scheduled to visit the US-Mexico border, where they're scheduled to serve meals to Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers over Thanksgiving.[5]

Sources: [1]The Hill, [2]BBC News, [3]FOX News, [4]ABC News and [5]CBS.

Narratives

  • Republican narrative, as provided by New York Post and Daily Caller. Whether Democratic officials in so-called "sanctuary states" don't care about public safety or are just opposed to the incoming administration's immigration policies because of their hatred of Trump, they're going to have to learn to live with Trump fulfilling his promises. That means addressing the problems caused by having 7.4M people in the US illegally, starting with the high-threat individuals. The Biden administration opened the border — now it's time to close it.
  • Democratic narrative, as provided by The New Republic and Daily Kos. Republicans continue to use false crime claims to hide their bigotry and xenophobia. It's well-documented that the crime rate among undocumented migrants is lower than that of US-born citizens. Democratic-led states are among the highest contributors to the federal coffers and holding back aid would be as cruel as it would be unconstitutional. The incoming administration is leaving Democrats — and humanitarians worldwide — no choice but to push back.