President-elect Donald Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, issued a stern warning to sanctuary cities opposed to the incoming administration's intensified immigration policies. During an appearance on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, Homan emphasized that sanctuary cities must allow federal agents access to jails or face heightened enforcement in their communities.
"You've got San Diego writing legislation. You've got Colorado and other states and other cities saying they're going to prevent us doing what I'm doing. I want to send a clear message," Homan said. "If you let us in the jail, we can arrest the bad guy in the jail and in the safety and security of the jail. One officer could do that, but when you release a public safety threat back in the community, you put the community at risk. You put my officers at risk. You put the alien at risk."
Homan, a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), explained that when local authorities refuse to cooperate, it forces federal agents to conduct operations in public spaces. "Here's what's going to happen - you release that guy in the community, I'm going to send an entire team to go look for the guy in your community," he said. "And what's going to happen? We'll find that guy. And when we find that guy, there's probably going to be others that are not a priority."
The appointment of Homan underscores Trump's commitment to delivering on his campaign promise to implement the largest mass deportation program in U.S. history. His remarks drew mixed reactions from lawmakers. Texas Senator Ted Cruz praised Homan's approach, calling him "a serious man" who is determined to address the border crisis. "I think you're going to see real resources devoted to going and finding the murderers, the rapists, the child molesters who have been released," Cruz said.
Democratic leaders in sanctuary cities and states have voiced strong opposition to the administration's plans. In Boston, the city council voted unanimously to strengthen sanctuary policies. Similar resistance has emerged in Denver, Colorado, and Arizona. However, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has shown a willingness to work with the administration, expressing interest in discussing solutions. "I want to hear the actual plan and how we're going to operationalize the plan," Adams said on MSNBC ahead of a scheduled meeting with Homan.
Human rights organizations have criticized Homan's selection as border czar, citing concerns over his past actions and controversial statements. According to Newsweek, Amy Fischer, Director of Refugee and Migrant Rights at Amnesty International USA, accused the administration of implementing policies that "completely disregard human rights, human dignity, and family unity." She added that these policies are "rooted in racism and xenophobia with the sole aim of causing cruel and immense suffering to people coming to the U.S. to rebuild their lives."
Homan defended his track record, including his involvement in the family separation policy during Trump's first term. "I'm sick and tired of hearing about the family separation," Homan said. "I'm still being sued over that. I don't give a s***, right? Bottom line is, we enforced the law."
Despite the controversy, Homan made it clear that the administration will not back down. "I can't believe any elected official does not want to remove public safety threats from their communities, but we're going to do it with them or without them," he said.
