In a move signaling a hardline approach to immigration, President-elect Donald Trump has named former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan as the head of U.S. border control. Homan will oversee the country’s immigration enforcement efforts, including deportations, in what Trump has promised will be the largest such operation in U.S. history.
“I am pleased to announce that Former ICE Director Tom Homan will be joining the Trump Administration as the ‘Border Czar,’ in charge of overseeing our nation’s borders,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform late Sunday. “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there’s no one better at policing and controlling our borders.”
Homan’s appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, aligns with Trump’s broader immigration agenda. He has vowed to launch a massive deportation campaign immediately upon taking office, which he says will target undocumented migrants on a scale unseen before in the U.S.
Homan, who served as acting ICE director during Trump’s first term, gained prominence for his aggressive stance on immigration enforcement. Under his leadership, ICE arrests rose sharply, with the number of immigrant arrests climbing nearly 40% compared to the previous year. Trump has long painted immigrants as a threat to American security and resources, often framing them as criminals who drain public services.
At a recent rally in North Carolina, Trump reiterated his tough rhetoric, declaring that “the migrant invasion ends” the day after he takes office. He referred to migrants as “vicious and bloodthirsty criminals,” vowing to “kick them out of the country.” Trump’s messaging on immigration has frequently painted the border situation as an “invasion” of migrants whom he claims will “rape and murder” Americans.
Despite these claims, research shows that immigrants, including those without legal status, are less likely to commit violent crimes than U.S. citizens. Furthermore, many undocumented workers contribute taxes that support public services they cannot access.
Under Trump, the number of migrant encounters at the southern border reached record levels, peaking at over 250,000 in December 2023. This is roughly equivalent to the number of border encounters seen during Trump’s final year in office. Yet, Trump has continued to emphasize the need for a tough stance on immigration, citing a range of legislative measures, including using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport foreigners from “enemy” nations.
As part of his plan, Trump has proposed a sweeping operation known as “Operation Aurora,” which Homan has vowed to implement in a “humane” manner. In an interview on Fox News, Homan stated that the operation would be well-coordinated by ICE agents, who he said are well-trained to carry out the mission effectively and with precision. “When we go out there, we’re going to know who we’re looking for, and we most likely know where they’re going to be,” Homan said, stressing that the operation would not involve the military.
Homan has made clear his frustration with media portrayals of mass deportation efforts, promising that, with Trump’s return to office, the U.S. will see the largest deportation operation ever. “If you’re here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder,” he warned in an earlier interview.
Critics, however, argue that such rhetoric exacerbates the ongoing humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. The International Organization for Migration has called the journey across the border the “deadliest land route for migrants worldwide,” as the perilous conditions have led to rising fatalities among those attempting to cross.
As the debate over immigration enforcement heats up, experts caution that the tough rhetoric and proposed policies could inflame tensions, further complicating efforts to address the root causes of migration, such as violence, poverty, and political instability in migrants’ home countries.