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    • Who is Tom Homan? Former border police officer becomes ‘border czar’
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    Who is Tom Homan? Former border police officer becomes ‘border czar’

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    WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has named Tom Homan, a former Border Patrol agent who rose to head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as his next “border czar” who would oversee mass deportations promised during the campaign.

    Homan oversaw controversial border security enforcement during Trump’s first administration, including a “zero tolerance” policy that led to the separation of migrant families. He became a key surrogate for Trump during the campaign, explaining how to strengthen border security.

    The position of “border czar” is not an official job title at the Department of Homeland Security, leaving it open to what Trump plans for Homan to do. But the announcement was one of Trump’s first orders of business during his transition into office on Jan. 20, and reflects the priority he is placing on border security.

    This is what we know about Homan:

    Homan was the first Border Patrol agent to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    Homan served in the Border Patrol for 34 years before becoming acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first two years of Trump’s first term. He was the first regular officer to lead the agency that oversees immigration enforcement.

    As he told the Republican National Convention in July, Homan has served under six presidents of both parties, starting with Ronald Reagan. But while they all pledged to improve border security, Homan said Trump was the only one who actually did so.

    “Guess what? He’s going to do it again,” Homan said.

    What does “border czar” mean for Homan’s new job?

    Trump described Homan’s job as a “border czar” overseeing security along the southern and northern borders, along with all maritime and aviation security.

    The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for these responsibilities. But Trump has not appointed Homan as secretary of that department, leaving unclear what his role will actually be.

    “I have known Tom for a long time, and there is no one better at guarding and controlling our borders,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Similarly, Tom Homan will be responsible for all deportations of illegal aliens back to their countries of origin.”

    Workplace raids are possible when tracking migrants

    Trump campaigned saying he would begin mass deportations on his first day in office. He is expected to mobilize agencies across the government to help report an estimated 11 million migrants who are in the country without legal permission.

    Vice President-elect JD Vance said the government could remove an estimated 1 million people a year.

    But immigrant advocacy groups have warned that such widespread deportations could harm the workforce for agricultural or service sector jobs such as hotels and restaurants. Tracking migrants may require authorities to visit their homes or conduct raids on businesses.

    “Threats to public safety and national security will be the priority,” Homan told Fox News. “They pose the greatest danger to this country.”

    “Surgery work needs to take place,” Homan added.

    Mass deportations could lead to clashes with state and local governments

    Some jurisdictions have passed laws to protect migrants from enforcement of federal immigration laws, creating so-called “sanctuary cities.” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and New York City Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro each said after Trump’s election that they would work to protect migrants.

    But Homan said the federal government would seek cooperation with state and local law enforcement.

    “We’re going to get the job done without you or with you,” Homan said.

    What is Homan’s background?

    Homan has served as a New York police officer, a Federal Border Patrol agent, a Special Agent in the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, and as a Supervisory Special Agent and Deputy Assistant Director for Investigations at ICE.

    “I have seen firsthand Tom’s leadership and knowledge in border security and immigration enforcement,” Chad Wolf, a former acting secretary to the secretary of the interior, said on social media. “I am confident he will do everything he can to secure the border and protect our communities.”

    In Texas, he became ICE’s deputy director for investigations in San Antonio County and Dallas County. He later took on leadership roles at ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Office.

    Mr. Homan has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and received the Presidential Rank Award in 2015 for his achievements in immigration enforcement.

    Vaseline
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