Border czar says prioritizing criminal illegal aliens is key to sustaining confidence in federal immigration operations.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Border czar Tom Homan has argued that immigration enforcement should focus first on illegal immigrants who commit additional crimes, saying such an approach is necessary to maintain public trust and long-term support for enforcement efforts.
Homan’s position was reported by NBC News, which cited interviews conducted with him for an upcoming book by the outlet’s Homeland Security correspondent, Julia Ainsley. According to the report, Homan stressed that while anyone in the country illegally is subject to arrest and deportation, those with criminal records should remain the top priority.
“I think the vast majority of the American people think criminal illegal aliens need to leave,” Homan told NBC News during immigration operations in Los Angeles last June. “And if we stick to that prioritization, I think we keep the faith of the American people.”
Homan added that maintaining that focus would also bolster public backing for President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. “The more we do that, the more the American people will support what President Trump’s doing,” he said. “We’ve got to do it and we’ve got to do it in a humane manner.”
NBC News reported that Homan’s comments for the book were “authorized for early release,” though it was not specified who approved their publication.
The report contrasted Homan’s targeted approach with the broader enforcement strategy previously used by former Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino. Those operations in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis sparked protests and legal challenges, with NBC attributing weeks of unrest and subsequent federal intervention to the aggressive tactics.
In a statement to NBC News, the Department of Homeland Security rejected suggestions of internal disagreement, saying enforcement efforts remain unified and consistent with the president’s direction. “There is only one page: the President’s page. Everyone’s on the same page,” a DHS spokesperson said.
After Bovino was removed from his position, Homan assumed responsibility for immigration operations in Minneapolis and scaled back the federal presence, reducing the number of deployed officers by roughly 700.
Homan has said he intends to seek stronger cooperation from local law enforcement to help identify illegal immigrants with criminal histories, while emphasizing that so-called “collateral arrests” remain an integral part of immigration enforcement.
“When I say prioritize public safety threats, they’re just a priority,” Homan told NBC News. “If you’re in the country illegally, you’re not off the table. If we find you while we’re out there looking, you’re going to be arrested.”
He also warned against policies that could be perceived as lenient. “If we send a message to the world that, well, if you enter the country illegally, that’s a crime but don’t worry about it — just don’t commit another crime and we’re not looking for you, we can’t send that message,” Homan said.
Original article
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