President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Tom Homan, a known figure in US immigration, will serve as “border czar” in the new administration. Homan will lead efforts to secure the nation’s borders and handle deportations. Trump shared the news on his Truth Social platform, saying Homan is highly skilled at managing border control. In this role, Homan will be in charge of returning undocumented immigrants to their home countries.
Homan, who was the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term, saw immigrant arrests rise by almost 40% during that period. Now, Homan’s new position does not need Senate approval, so he can start working as soon as Trump takes office. Trump has promised to carry out one of the largest deportation efforts in US history, with Homan leading the initiative.
Trump’s campaign has focused heavily on immigration issues, often describing the arrival of migrants as a major threat. Trump has called this a “migrant invasion” and has said that his administration will stop it on day one. He claims that undocumented immigrants increase crime, though studies show they are less likely to commit violent crimes than US-born citizens. Additionally, many undocumented workers pay taxes that support services they cannot even access.
The number of people stopped at the US-Mexico border is now back to what it was in 2020, Trump’s last year in office, after reaching high levels in late 2023. Trump has said he will use the Alien Enemies Act, a law from 1798, to deport people from “enemy” countries. This would be part of a large deportation drive called “Operation Aurora.”
At his rallies, Trump often tells stories about crimes involving migrants to support his views, but many of these stories have been exaggerated or misleading. Some experts worry that this type of language could make the situation at the border worse, as more migrants are already risking their lives to reach the US. The International Organization for Migration recently named the US-Mexico border the “deadliest land route” for migrants worldwide.
In an interview, Homan said that while he will lead the deportation efforts, ICE officers will carry out these operations carefully and humanely. He emphasized that ICE teams know how to handle these situations properly and that operations will be well-planned.
Homan’s new role shows Trump’s commitment to a strict immigration policy, which is likely to spark further debate. For many Americans, immigration continues to be a key issue, and Trump’s approach promises to bring major changes to US border control and immigration enforcement.