As the U.S. prepares for a shift in immigration policies, Tom Homan, who is the border czar under President-elect Donald Trump, has issued a clear warning to migrants: stay home. With just weeks left before Trump begins his second term in office, Homan emphasized that those thinking about crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally should reconsider their plans. He made it clear that the U.S. government is preparing to take a much tougher stance on immigration, starting from Day 1 of Trump’s presidency.
Homan, who previously led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), explained that the “catch and release” program, which allows immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally to stay while waiting for their asylum hearings, will be ended. This program has been a point of debate for many, with critics arguing that it encourages more illegal immigration. Homan, along with Trump, believes that the program should be stopped to prevent migrants from entering the country unlawfully and staying while their cases are processed.
Even though Homan has issued this warning, several groups of migrants have already left Tapachula, a city in southern Mexico near the Guatemalan border. These migrants are heading north toward the U.S. border. However, they have not yet reached the border, and smaller groups have arrived in Eagle Pass, Texas. Homan urged these migrants not to continue their journey and warned them that it would be dangerous to cross illegally.
Since President Joe Biden took office in 2021, more than 8 million migrants have been encountered at the southern U.S. border. Many of these migrants were given a court date for their asylum hearings, but the wait for these hearings can take years. Homan explained that migrants should not expect to be allowed to stay in the U.S. if they enter illegally. He stressed that crossing the border in this way is not a guarantee of staying in the country and that migrants should not risk everything by paying criminal cartels to smuggle them into the U.S.
Homan also pointed out the dangers migrants face when crossing the border. In recent years, a record number of migrants have died while trying to cross into the U.S. He also noted the rising number of American deaths from fentanyl, which is often smuggled across the border. Homan blamed both the migrant deaths and the growing fentanyl crisis on the current administration’s handling of border security.
A recent incident highlighted the dangers migrants face. In Eagle Pass, Texas, two young girls, ages 5 and 9, were found abandoned by a smuggler. The girls, who are from El Salvador, had been left behind with a note containing an address and phone number. Homan used this case to underline his message that crossing the border illegally is extremely risky, and migrants should consider the consequences before making such a dangerous decision.
In response to the situation, the Mexican government announced plans to open 25 detention centers for immigrants who are sent back across the border by U.S. immigration officials. Homan believes that the best solution for migrants is to stay in their home countries where they are safe, rather than attempting to cross the border illegally. He urged migrants to heed his advice and avoid making the dangerous journey north.
As the U.S. prepares for stricter immigration policies, Homan’s message is clear: the time to cross the border illegally is over. Migrants must understand the risks involved and consider their safety before attempting to enter the U.S. illegally. For those who still consider making the journey, Homan’s advice remains firm: “Stay home.”