US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Tom Homan, the former head of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as his administration’s ‘Border Czar.’ Homan will oversee US land, maritime, and aerial borders, with a primary focus on deporting illegal immigrants, a key promise from Trump during his campaign.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed confidence in Homan’s ability to manage the border situation. “Tom is the best at policing and controlling our borders,” Trump wrote, emphasizing that Homan will be responsible for deporting “all illegal aliens back to their country of origin.”
This move aligns with Trump’s campaign pledge to implement the largest deportation program in US history. Trump has long vowed to address illegal immigration, with estimates suggesting there are between 14-15 million illegal immigrants currently in the United States. The issue of illegal immigration was a central theme in Trump’s successful election campaign, where he emphasized concerns over crime and the influx of illegal immigrants, particularly through the US-Mexico border.
The exact approach for deportations under the new administration remains unclear, but Trump’s emphasis on border control and immigration policies is set to be a hallmark of his presidency. Throughout the campaign, Trump and his supporters criticized the Biden administration’s handling of border issues, with Vice President Kamala Harris often blamed for the ongoing immigration crisis. A Congressional report indicates that as many as 10 million people may have entered the United States illegally in the past four years.
Homan’s appointment signals a tough stance on immigration as Trump prepares to take office.