Emmanuel OchayiTom Homan, a former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has been named by President-elect Donald Trump as the new border czar. With over 30 years of experience in immigration enforcement, Homan is seen as a key figure in Trump’s efforts to strengthen U.S. border security.
Homan is set to play a leading role in shaping and enforcing immigration policies under the new administration.
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Tom Homan’s career in immigration enforcement spans more than three decades. He started as a police officer in West Carthage, New York, before joining the Border Patrol and later the Immigration and Naturalization Service. He eventually moved to ICE, where he climbed the ranks to lead the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division.
Homan’s extensive experience in law enforcement has earned him a reputation as a no-nonsense enforcer. President Trump once described him as someone who “looks very nasty, he looks very mean,” a trait Trump claimed to value in the role of immigration enforcement. Despite his tough image, Homan’s leadership at ICE aimed to address internal morale issues within the agency, which had been struggling with staffing and operational challenges.
His Role in Family Separations
One of the most controversial chapters in Tom Homan’s career is his role in the family separation policy. Reports suggest that Homan proposed family separations as an immigration deterrent as early as 2014 during the Obama administration. However, then-Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson rejected the idea, calling it “heartless and impractical.”
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Under Trump’s administration, the policy took shape, resulting in the separation of more than 4,000 children from their families at the border. In 2018, Homan defended the policy, stating, “I think it’s the law and I’m in law enforcement and I must follow the law.” Critics of the policy accused the administration of cruelty, while supporters argued it was a necessary step to deter illegal border crossings.
Return to the Role of Border Czar
This is not Tom Homan’s first return from retirement. In 2017, after stepping down from ICE, he had plans to join the private sector. However, just after his retirement party, he was called back to take on the role of acting director of ICE under the Trump administration. Now, Homan is making another return, this time as border czar, a role that will give him significant control over border security and immigration enforcement.
Unlike previous figures who were informally referred to as border czars, Homan appears to be embracing the title. His role will focus on overseeing border security operations and supporting immigration enforcement policies within the United States. Unlike Vice President Kamala Harris, who was criticized for not taking on a direct border security role, Homan is expected to maintain a more hands-on approach.
Connections with Conservative Policy Groups
Tom Homan has developed strong connections with conservative policy organizations like the Heritage Foundation and the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). As a contributor to Heritage’s “Project 2025” report, Homan played a part in shaping the vision for future conservative government strategies on immigration. His links with these groups are expected to influence his decisions as border czar, especially regarding policies that prioritize stricter immigration enforcement.
His affiliations have also drawn criticism from immigrant rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers. In one notable encounter, Homan faced off with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during a 2019 congressional hearing on the zero-tolerance policy. He defended his role, stating that the family separations were not the end goal but a result of enforcing immigration laws.
What’s Next for Tom Homan?
As border czar, Tom Homan will be at the forefront of Trump’s immigration strategy. He is expected to focus on interior enforcement, workplace raids, and the deportation of undocumented immigrants, even in cases where immediate family members are U.S. citizens. Speaking on Fox News, Homan declared, “Frankly, I don’t care what people think about me, especially in the left.”
His appointment signals a shift toward a more hardline stance on border security, with critics warning that his policies could lead to more family separations and deportations. Immigrant advocacy groups are expected to push back against his approach, but supporters argue that Homan’s experience and enforcement-first mindset are what the role of border czar requires.
Tom Homan’s appointment as border czar under Trump’s new administration has reignited debates about immigration policy in the U.S. His role in family separations, his long career in immigration enforcement, and his connections with conservative think tanks all suggest he will be a strong advocate for stricter border control measures.
As Homan steps into the role, all eyes will be on his actions, particularly regarding workplace raids, deportations, and border enforcement. His tenure as border czar will likely face criticism and scrutiny from immigrant advocacy groups, but his supporters see him as the right man for the job.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
