Trump Names Homan as 'Border Czar'

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Facts

  • US Pres.-elect Donald Trump on Sunday announced on social media that he will select Tom Homan, who served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the previous Trump administration, as "border czar."[1][2]
  • Trump further wrote that there's "nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders" than Homan, who he predicted would do a "fantastic, and long awaited for, job," as he'll "be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin."[3]
  • Homan, whose position will not require Senate approval, said Trump's deportation operation would not be conducted by the military, would be "well-targeted," and would be "humane."[2][4]
  • Homan has worked as a police officer, a US Border Patrol agent, and a special agent with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service. He's also known to have played a role in formulating the Project 2025 policy agenda, which Trump has publicly distanced himself from.[5][6]
  • As ICE director, Homan's immigration policies reportedly led to the separation of at least 5K families, 1.4K of whom were still apart as of May 2024. Homan has previously argued family separation is the same for any "US citizen parent who gets arrested with their child."[6][7][8]
  • This comes as Trump has announced another appointment, US Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as US ambassador to the United Nations. Stephen Miller is also expected to be announced as Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy.[9][10]

Sources: [1]USA Today, [2]Associated Press, [3]Truth Social, [4]FOX News (a), [5]The New York Times, [6]Forbes, [7]Independent, [8]New York Post (a), [9]New York Post (b) and [10]FOX News (b).

Narratives

  • Republican narrative, as provided by Breitbart and The Western Journal. The days of Republicans giving in to Democrats' blackmail and race-baiting on the illegal immigration issue are over, as Trump will make good on his campaign promises. With Homan in charge, the US will be safer as illegal immigration will be prioritized as a national security issue. This will also support the economic security of all Americans.
  • Democratic narrative, as provided by The Washington Post and The New Republic. Trump knows that by bringing back Homan to have anything to do with immigration policy, he will create a nightmare for both vulnerable residents of the US and Americans who care about humanely caring for others. Naming him "czar" to avoid Senate confirmation is also problematic for separation of powers — this foreshadows that Homan's policies could potentially run afoul of US law.