Thomas Homan, who President-elect Donald Trump named “border czar” Sunday night, had a clear message for Democratic governors opposed to the planned mass deportation operation.
“If they don’t want to cooperate, get out of the way completely. [Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)] Homan, who served as acting ICE director during the first Trump administration, told Fox News Digital in an interview Friday.
President Trump announced on Sunday that Homan would be appointed “border czar” in charge of border control and the “return of illegal aliens to their countries of origin” in the new administration.
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Ahead of the announcement, Fox News asked Homan about comments made by Democratic governors who indicated they would not cooperate with the administration on mass deportations of illegal immigrants.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said last week that “every tool in our toolbox must be used to protect our people, protect our residents, protect our state, and uphold our democracy and the rule of law.” said. principle. “
Asked last week if state police would assist with deportation, she said, “No, absolutely not.”
Thomas Homan speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 17, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Seeger)
Fox News contributor Homan suspects some “sanctuary” jurisdictions will cooperate with the administration.
“They don't say it, but with so many foreign crimes and young women being sexually assaulted and murdered, some sheriffs are coming forward and working with us behind the scenes. '' he said.
But he said it would be helpful to have “double-double” support from state and local governments to give investigators access to county jails where serious illegal immigrant offenders are held. also said that support was lacking. We never stop working.
“If you don't want to work with us, totally get out. We will. What that means is, instead of sending 100 agents to Boston, we send 200 agents. “I mean, I'm going to go to Boston and get the job done,” he said.
“We have a mission. I think the American people just gave President Trump a mission. That's why he was elected — to secure our borders, save lives, and especially to protect our national security. So if you're not going to help us, step aside, but don't get in our way. , because there will be consequences.”
Homan said the immediate focus will be on illegal immigrants with convictions or convictions, similar to the focus under the first Trump administration.
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“It's not going to be a big neighborhood sweep or a big raid. It's going to be a targeted enforcement operation,” he said.
But that doesn't mean anyone is off the table, he cautioned. “There is a problem with countries where you stay illegally.”
Then-President Trump (left) and Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thomas Homan meet during the Law Enforcement Roundtable on Sanctuary Cities in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Javin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Homan said that under the Biden administration, millions of people have crossed the southern border into the country illegally, and there should be consequences for those found to not have valid asylum claims. Otherwise, he argues, there is no true due process.
“There's going to be a massive deportation operation because there's going to be a massive illegal immigration population that we've never seen before and 90% will be removed. That's common sense,” he said. .
He also said many illegal immigrants would likely leave the country themselves if incentives to cross the border were ended. How many can be removed depends on available resources, he says.
For more information on the border security crisis, click here
“It depends on the resources, it depends on the money. But I can assure you that President Trump means what he says. He will definitely get the green light to enforce the laws and secure the borders. That will involve a massive deportation operation. “will be needed,” he said. Said.
Homan, a former New York City police officer, Border Patrol agent and ICE director, was widely expected to play a key role in the mass deportation operation. A 2016 Washington Post article said Homan was “deporting people. And he's really good at it.”
Homan said Friday about his potential role in the administration: “This is what I'll say: I'm not seeking office. I've certainly never sought a Cabinet position. “We know if we need to carry out a deportation operation.” If he needs me to secure the border, I'm ready to cooperate in any way I can, and whatever he wants me to do, he wants me to do it. will decide. ”
Instead, he emphasized the threat posed by the border and the incoming administration's determination to resolve it.
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“The southern border is the greatest national security vulnerability I've seen in my lifetime. This should be a bipartisan issue. People are making death threats against me, people are hating me. Securing the border should be a bipartisan issue,” he said. “And we're going to do it…I don't care what people think, we're going to get it done.”
