Trump names border expert as immigration enforcement chief

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Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that immigration hardliner Thomas Homan will assume a significant border security position in his potential future administration.

Homan’s background includes serving as Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s acting director during 2017-2018, where he oversaw illegal immigrant detention and removal operations. He has remained a vocal Trump supporter throughout the 2024 campaign.

HUGE ‼️

Donald Trump just announced Tom Homan will be joining the Trump administration.. to be placed in charge of our nations Border… and the MASS Deportation Effort

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To protect our Southern Border, our Northern Border, and all Maritime and Aviation Security. pic.twitter.com/4hKM6voA9Q

— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) November 11, 2024

The announcement didn’t indicate Homan would lead Homeland Security or ICE, positions requiring Senate confirmation that would grant him direct deportation authority. Rather, Trump designated him as “Border Czar,” a White House staff role focused on policy coordination.

[Homan] will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation’s Borders (“The Border Czar”), including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security. I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin.

As a White House advisor, Homan would wield political influence over DHS and ICE leadership to enhance immigration enforcement, without requiring Senate approval.

The appointment aligns with Trump’s pledge to conduct widespread deportations following Biden’s presidency, which saw approximately 9 million unauthorized entries.

Initial deportation efforts would likely target 1.3 million individuals who’ve exhausted legal appeals, followed by those with serious criminal convictions.

“1.3 million migrants have already had their asylum case adjudicated, been in front of a judge, and the judge says, you do not qualify under the law,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), told CNN on November 10 “We’re the party of the rule of law … Their case has been had. They’re supposed to be removed.”

Officials would also prioritize removing incarcerated immigrants and those discovered during law enforcement operations, despite anticipated resistance from pro-immigration organizations and media outlets.

Trump hasn’t named his choice for DHS Secretary, a position carrying broader responsibilities beyond border control, including visa processing, counterterrorism, transportation security, and emergency management.

His previous DHS appointments – John Kelly, Kirstjen Nielsen, and Chad Wolf – showed mixed results. Real border progress occurred only after Trump personally pressured Mexico with tariff threats in 2019.

While Stephen Miller effectively influenced immigration policy from within the White House, Trump’s DHS leaders’ cautious approach allowed Biden’s administration to later reverse many changes.

For his potential second term, Trump appears more inclined to avoid establishment figures with ties to pro-immigration interests.