Trump Trump Taps Hardliners Homan and Miller for Immigration Posts

Trump announced Homan on his social media platform Truth Social where he praised Homan’s experience in immigration control and border security credentials. As border czar Homan will be responsible for:

• Southern and Northern Border Security: Border control along the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders.
• Maritime and Aviation Security: Security along coastal and air routes.
• Deportation Operations: Deporting illegals, a key part of Trump’s policy.

This position does not require Senate approval so Homan can start immediately after the inauguration.

Homan started as a Border Patrol agent in 1984 and rose through the ranks in immigration enforcement. He was acting director of ICE under Trump’s first administration from 2017-2018 where he was known for being tough and oversaw a 40% increase in immigration arrests.

• Key Policies: Under his leadership ICE prioritized deporting those without status not just those with criminal records and did immigration arrests in courthouses.
• Zero-Tolerance Policy: Homan also implemented the administration’s zero tolerance policy which led to separating families at the U.S.-Mexico border.

After leaving ICE Homan continued to advocate for tough immigration policies, wrote a book Defend the Border and Save Lives and founded Border 911 Foundation Inc. which opposes what he calls a “border invasion.”

A Targeted Approach to Deportations

In recent interviews, Homan has laid out his deportation policy and priorities. He said enforcement would focus first on those who pose a threat to public safety and national security.

Homan told the public mass roundups are not the goal but “no one’s off the table” if they’re here illegally.

Key points:

• Public Safety Threats: Deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records or deemed security risks.
• No Military Assistance: Homan said ICE will not use the military for deportation operations. “ICE will do it themselves.”

In a recent Fox News interview Homan said, “The men and women of ICE do this daily. They’re good at it. This will be a targeted operation done in a humane way.”

In a pre-election interview on “60 Minutes” Homan said mass neighborhood raids and large detention camps are deportation myths. He said a targeted approach will focus on public safety threats. When asked if immigrant families together can be deported without separation Homan said, “Families can be deported together” implying a process that will minimize family disruption while enforcing immigration laws.

Gil Kerlikowske, former head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection under Obama, said Homan has decades of experience and knows the deportation challenges and logistical challenges of mass deportation operations. Homan will carry out Trump’s immigration policies but he knows the limits and complexity of it.

Homan’s challenges:

• Detention Capacity: ICE has 41,500 detention beds at any given time so there’s a limit to how many can be detained at once.
• International Cooperation: Deportations require countries to take back their nationals. For example countries like Venezuela who don’t have diplomatic relations with the U.S. may not take back their citizens.

Homan has said the role of “border czar” should coordinate an “all-government” approach to immigration strategy. He believes border control and enforcement requires multiple agencies and a comprehensive policy.

After leaving ICE Homan was initially asked to come back in 2019 as a “border czar” but he declined due to the structure of the role. Now with a clear mandate he can implement Trump’s immigration plan more effectively.

With Homan as border czar, Trump’s administration is serious about its immigration enforcement strategy. Homan’s approach is about targeted deportation operations focused on the national security threats and risks but he hasn’t ruled out broader immigration enforcement.

As he takes office, Homan’s leadership will mean a tougher U.S. immigration policy. This will come with its own logistical challenges, financial requirements, and diplomatic hurdles, but that’s what Trump campaigned on – to secure the border and increase deportations.

Homan’s years of experience and practical knowledge of immigration enforcement will be crucial in implementing Trump’s plan as the administration tries to create an all-encompassing immigration strategy that prioritizes enforcement and reality.

Under the Trump presidency, Homan’s ICE removed the limits set by Obama’s administration which focused on deporting immigrants with criminal records. Homan expanded enforcement so anyone without legal status now is vulnerable to detention and removal.

Key policy changes under Homan:

• Increased Deportation Arrests: Homan oversaw a big increase in arrests and deportations. He emphasized strict immigration enforcement.
• Courthouse Arrests: Homan allowed ICE officers to arrest in courthouses. A controversial practice that generated a lot of public debate.
• Detaining Pregnant Women: The agency also started detaining pregnant women pending immigration decisions. Something they previously discouraged.

Miller has been a vocal immigration restrictionist, citing the impact of undocumented immigration on American jobs and public safety. At a recent Trump rally Miller spoke to supporters about the impact of immigration on American lives, blaming it for job losses and crime. He’s promised to continue to shape strict immigration policies under Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Miller was a senior advisor and speechwriter in Trump’s first term and was involved in the creation of several of Trump’s most unpopular immigration policies including the Muslim travel ban and family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border. His appointment means those policies will be resumed and maybe even increased.

Vice President-elect JD Vance tweeted: “Another great one”

Miller will be involved in Trump’s second-term immigration plan for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Throughout the 2024 campaign Miller was at many rallies speaking to crowds and pushing for “America First” policies.

He’s an immigration restrictionist and has supported increased immigration enforcement including detaining undocumented immigrants in holding centers while they await deportation.