Former ICE Director Tom Homan "Honored" to Take on Role in Second Trump Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan has expressed his readiness to tackle the U.S. border crisis as the “border czar” in a potential second Trump administration. Homan appeared on Fox & Friends recently to discuss what the opportunity means. In his first interview since the announcement, he said he felt a duty to accept the role, given his extensive advocacy for stricter border controls.

"I've been on this network for years complaining about what this administration did to this border. I've been yelling and screaming about it and what they need to do to fix it," Homan said in the interview. "So when the president asked me, ‘Would you come back and fix it?’ Of course. I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't.”

Homan’s appointment would align with former President Donald Trump’s renewed campaign emphasis on stringent immigration policies. Trump, who made border security a central theme of his 2016 campaign, has promised to restore key enforcement measures and executive orders that were rescinded under the Biden administration, focusing on mass deportations, increased border wall construction, and prioritizing the deportation of individuals posing public safety risks.

Homan is vocal about his disapproval of the current administration’s border policies, citing a marked increase in illegal border crossings. Fiscal year 2024 alone saw nearly 3 million crossings, according to the Department of Homeland Security, with over 10.8 million encounters since FY 2021.

The announcement of Homan’s potential role has sparked responses across ICE and law enforcement circles. He noted a wave of supportive calls and messages, including those from former ICE agents and retired military members offering to volunteer.

Homan acknowledged that while he has faced recent death threats, he is resolute in his commitment to “fix” the border situation. “This is the biggest national security vulnerability this nation has seen since 9/11. We have to fix it,” he stated, adding that his focus would include addressing threats from drug cartels and sex trafficking networks.

With immigration issues front and center in Trump’s campaign, Homan’s role as border czar would aim to prioritize the removal of individuals deemed national security risks, aligning with the administration's proposed enforcement strategy.