In an unprecedented move, military aircraft were used this past week to deport numerous undocumented migrants from the United States, marking a first in the nation’s history.
Donald Trump administration officials have also shifted their focus to locations like middle schools, which are now being considered as potential targets for immigration enforcement.
According to Tom Homan, President Trump’s appointed ‘border czar’, every undocumented immigrant in the country should be concerned about the possibility of arrest, even those without a criminal history.
Homan emphasised during an interview on ABC’s This Week with Martha Raddatz that the administration’s stance is firm: “There are consequences [for] entering the country illegally. If we don’t show there are consequences, you’re never going to fix the border problem.”
Estimates suggest over 11 million undocumented immigrants are currently residing in the US President Trump has vowed to take drastic measures to deport as many of them as possible while also curbing the influx of new migrants at the southern border.
Since taking office, Trump has declared a national emergency at the border, ended the practice of “catch and release,” and sought to revoke the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. While the latter move has faced legal hurdles, the administration remains undeterred in its mission to enforce immigration laws strictly.
Homan stated that the administration’s deportation strategy prioritises public safety and national security threats. He noted, “We will deport as many as we can,” starting with those who pose significant risks.
According to data provided by House Republicans last year, hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants have either criminal convictions or pending charges. Additionally, border patrol statistics from the past four years reveal hundreds of individuals intercepted at the southern border whose names matched those on government watchlists for suspected terrorists.
Despite these figures, recent Department of Homeland Security reports highlight that a very small proportion of migrants arriving at US borders in recent years had criminal records. The majority of offenses were nonviolent, including previous illegal entries or driving under the influence.
Homan described the current deportation efforts as being in their early stages, focusing first on the most pressing threats. However, he warned that the scope of arrests will eventually widen: “As that aperture opens, there’ll be more arrests nationwide.”
He also acknowledged the potential for “collateral arrests,” particularly in “sanctuary cities” where local authorities resist cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“When we find [a target], he’s going to be with others… [and] if they’re in the country illegally, they’re coming too,” Homan explained.
He criticised sanctuary cities for “locking ICE out of jails,” which he believes creates significant risks. “When an undocumented immigrant arrested for a serious crime is released instead of being deported, it endangers the community,” he said.
The Trump administration has removed previous restrictions on conducting immigration enforcement in “sensitive” areas like schools and churches. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman stated that such locations should no longer be considered safe havens for those evading arrest. “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” Huffman declared.
Homan defended this shift, arguing that ICE officers should not face restrictions that don’t apply to other law enforcement agencies. “Name another agency… that can’t walk into a school or doctor’s office or a medical campus,” he challenged.
He assured that ICE officers are well-trained and exercise discretion, especially in sensitive locations.
The administration’s message is clear: individuals residing unlawfully in the US should leave voluntarily or face the consequences.
Homan said, “It’s not OK to violate the laws of this country. We have millions of people standing in line, taking the test, doing their background investigation, paying the fees, [and] wanting to come in the right way.”
He further advised asylum seekers to follow legal procedures, saying, “Go to the embassy, go to the point of entry. You shouldn’t come to this country and ask to get asylum, and the first thing you do is break our laws by entering illegally.”
Although the administration has launched an extensive deportation plan, Homan acknowledged its limitations due to insufficient congressional funding. “I’m being realistic,” he admitted. “We can do what we can with the money we have… But with more money, the more we can accomplish.” He stressed the importance of securing the border to prevent national security threats, drug trafficking, and human exploitation.
Ultimately, Homan believes success is measured incrementally. “Our success every day is taking a public safety threat off the streets or getting a national security threat out of here,” he concluded.
(ABC NEWS)
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