United States President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former ICE Director Tom Homan, known for his strict immigration policies, to head border management in his incoming administration. In a post on Truth Social, Trump labeled Homan as the “Border Czar,” expressing high confidence in his abilities.
“I’ve known Tom for years, and there is no one better at managing and securing our borders,” Trump said, noting that Homan will oversee the deportation of undocumented immigrants. This position does not require Senate confirmation.
At age 78, Trump has pledged to initiate the largest deportation campaign in US history upon assuming office. Following his recent election victory on November 5, Trump—who has yet to acknowledge his 2020 loss—has made border security a primary focus, repeatedly describing the country’s immigration situation as unchecked and burdensome.
Speaking at a recent rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, Trump declared, “The day after I take office, the migrant invasion ends.” Referring to migrants as “dangerous criminals,” he vowed to “expel them from the country.”
Trump has claimed that migrants are a threat to American safety and labeled the situation at the US-Mexico border as an “invasion,” despite research showing that immigrants are statistically less likely to commit violent crimes and contribute tax revenue supporting public programs they cannot use. Violent crime has actually decreased every year since Joe Biden took office, although isolated incidents involving foreign suspects have received media attention.
Border patrol encounters with migrants crossing from Mexico remain similar to levels seen in 2020, despite peaking at 250,000 in December 2023. Trump has also promised to target migrant gangs through the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, allowing the detention and deportation of nationals from hostile countries, under a new initiative named “Operation Aurora.”
