Donald Trump Border Czar: Three Immigration Priorities for Tom Homan

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan as the overseer of U.S. border protection, tasking him with three primary focuses: securing the border, enforcing mass deportations, and combating cartel influence.

Focus on the Southern Border

Homan’s efforts will be heavily concentrated on border security, a core component of Trump’s 2024 campaign platform. His mandate includes robust action on issues like mass deportations and dismantling drug trafficking networks, particularly along the southern U.S. border. The Trump administration’s approach has reignited discussion on U.S. immigration policy, with this role shaping the success or shortcomings of Trump’s newly secured presidency, which saw him win both the popular vote and Electoral College count (312 votes) against Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump, in a Truth Social announcement, praised Homan’s commitment to border control, calling him "The Border Czar" and emphasizing Homan’s authority over all U.S. borders, maritime, and aviation security. Trump stated, “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our borders,” while also noting Homan’s role in overseeing the deportation of undocumented immigrants.

Who is Tom Homan?

Homan, who was acting director of ICE from 2017 to 2018, is known for his stringent views on immigration. A controversial figure, Homan helped implement the Trump administration's family separation policy and has maintained a firm stance on deportation and border control. His career spans over three decades in immigration enforcement, starting with the U.S. Border Patrol in 1984 and advancing to ICE leadership. Homan’s work and public remarks have drawn support from proponents of stricter immigration policies, while immigrant advocacy groups criticize his approach as overly aggressive.

Homan has continued to voice his views on conservative media and through partnerships with organizations like The Heritage Foundation, contributing to Project 2025—a policy outline advocating for widespread immigration enforcement. Speaking at the Republican National Convention, Homan reinforced his commitment to mass deportations by telling undocumented immigrants, “Start packing, because you’re going home.”

The Mass Deportation Initiative

Mass deportation forms a cornerstone of Trump’s 2024 platform. Branded “Operation Aurora,” Trump pledged to launch a large-scale deportation program to expel undocumented immigrants. As part of his immediate plans, Trump aims to dismantle the CBP One app—a tool designed to streamline migrant appointments at U.S. ports of entry—within 24 hours of assuming office, labeling it as an enabler of unauthorized entry.

Homan has voiced his commitment to this mission, asserting his readiness to lead the largest deportation force in U.S. history. Critics, including Latino leaders, warn that this policy could risk separating families, with potential widespread impacts affecting up to 20 million individuals. Homan has dismissed the concerns around family separation, stating, “I don’t give a s***, right? Bottom line is, we enforced the law.”

Border Security and Law Enforcement Resources

Homan’s responsibilities extend to overseeing security across all U.S. borders, as well as maritime and aviation entry points. Supporting Trump’s border wall policy, Homan advocates for physical barriers to curb illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. Trump has proposed increasing funding for Customs and Border Protection by hiring 10,000 new agents and implementing a 10 percent pay raise, alongside $10,000 retention and signing bonuses.

These additional resources aim to bolster national security, focusing on controlling human trafficking and drug smuggling at the border.

Targeting Cartels

In addition to immigration enforcement, Homan has a directive to target Mexican cartels, a priority for Trump’s administration due to their role in fentanyl smuggling. Homan has suggested that criminal organizations exploit gaps in border security, such as areas with insufficient agent presence, to transport narcotics into the U.S.

In a July speech at the Republican National Convention, Homan warned the cartels that Trump’s administration would “wipe them off the face of the earth” and reiterated Trump’s proposal to classify cartels as terrorist organizations, elevating the government’s approach to combat drug-related violence.