Tom Homan, who worked in Donald Trump's first term for a year and a half as acting director of ICE, will be the “border czar” of the president-elect's new administration. Homan is also a candidate for the position of secretary of Homeland Security.
The president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, announced on Sunday that Tom Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will be in charge of the country's borders in his new administration.
Homan will be “in charge of our nation's borders (the 'Border Czar'), including, but not limited to, the southern border, the northern border, all maritime and air security,” Trump said in a post on its Truth Social platform.
Homan, who served in Trump's first term for a year and a half, is also a contender for secretary of Homeland Security.
Trump made the fight against irregular immigration the central element of his campaign, promising mass deportations. During the campaign, Trump frequently praised Homan, who often took to the streets to mobilize his supporters.
The president-elect noted that he has “no doubt” that Homan “will do a fantastic and long-overdue job.”
This role does not require Senate confirmation.
In an interview on the Fox News channel's “Sunday Morning Futures” program, Homan stated that the military would not be used to locate and detain illegal immigrants in the country, and that ICE would proceed to implement Trump's plans in a way “ human.”
“It is going to be a well-directed and planned operation, carried out by the men of ICE. The men and women of ICE do this every day. “They’re good at it,” he said. “When we go out, we're going to know who we're looking for. “Very likely we will know where they are going to be, and it will be done in a humane way.”
Earlier this year, at the National Conservative Conference in Washington, Homan expressed frustration over media coverage of a mass deportation operation.
“Wait until 2025,” he said, adding that while he believes the government should prioritize national security threats, “no one is off the table. “If you are here illegally, you better be vigilant.”
He also said: “You have my word. “Trump returns in January, I will arrive right behind him upon his return, and I will lead the largest deportation operation this country has ever seen.”
(With information from AP and Reuters)