Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Thomas Homan addresses concerns about President-elect Donald Trump's proposed deportation plans.
According to Newsweek, Homan, who will serve as Trump's "border czar" in the next administration, firmly rejected claims that U.S. citizens would be removed under the planned mass deportation operation during an appearance on Fox News.
The controversy arose after Ana Navarro, co-host of ABC's "The View," suggested that deporting millions of undocumented immigrants would inevitably lead to the removal of their family members who are legal citizens. Homan appeared on Sean Hannity's show Monday to counter these assertions, emphasizing that the operation would primarily target criminals and gang members.
Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity, Homan laid out the priorities for Trump's proposed deportation operation. He emphasized that public safety threats and national security concerns would take precedence. The former ICE director pointed to approximately 1.5 million convicted criminal aliens with removal orders currently in the country, along with thousands of gang members who would be primary targets.
Karoline Leavitt, a Trump campaign spokesperson, provided additional context about the administration's approach. She indicated that provisions would be made for mixed-status families while maintaining aggressive enforcement against criminal elements. The campaign's focus appears to be on drug dealers, human traffickers, and individuals with criminal records.
The American Immigration Council has projected significant costs associated with the proposed deportation operation. Their October report estimates that removing approximately 13 million illegal migrants could cost at least $315 billion, though they emphasize this figure is likely conservative.
Homan outlined additional enforcement strategies during an appearance on Fox & Friends. He highlighted workplace investigations as a key component of the deportation strategy, particularly in addressing sex trafficking and forced labor. The former ICE director suggested that work sites often harbor trafficking victims.
These claims drew criticism from immigration advocacy groups. Heidi Altman, director of federal advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center, challenged Homan's approach. She argued that his strategy conflates trafficking victims with their exploiters and could ultimately harm vulnerable populations.
Recent polling has shown evolving public attitudes toward immigration enforcement. While campaign surveys indicated substantial support for mass deportations, exit polls revealed stronger backing for pathways to legal status for undocumented immigrants. Immigration also appeared to decrease in importance among voters' priorities.
The implementation details and timeline for Trump's proposed deportation operation remain unclear. The president-elect has dismissed concerns about the operation's cost, telling NBC News that his plans will have "no price tag."
Homan issued a stark warning to individuals in the country illegally. His message emphasized that unauthorized presence in the United States should not be comfortable, drawing parallels to his own hypothetical situation in another country.
The former ICE director stated:
If you're in the country illegally, you shouldn't feel comfortable, absolutely not. I wouldn't feel comfortable if I were in another country illegally; you shouldn't be comfortable either. When you enter this country illegally, you have committed a crime. You're a criminal, and you're not off the table.
Thomas Homan, Trump's designated border czar, has taken a firm stance against claims that the incoming administration's deportation plans would target U.S. citizens. The former ICE director appeared on multiple news programs to outline the focus on criminal aliens and gang members while addressing concerns about family separations. The proposed mass deportation operation faces significant logistical and financial challenges, with cost estimates reaching hundreds of billions of dollars.
