Border Czar Calls For Mass Deportations

As President-elect Donald Trump readies his team for a hardline immigration crackdown, incoming border czar Tom Homan has revealed the scope and strategy of the administration’s mass deportation plans. The operation, which could target millions of undocumented immigrants, is poised to reshape immigration enforcement in the U.S.

“Collateral Arrests” Expected Nationwide

Homan, a seasoned immigration official, warned in a phone interview with the Washington Examiner that the crackdown will result in widespread “collateral arrests.” This means undocumented individuals who have no criminal records but are associated with targeted individuals may still face deportation.

“In sanctuary cities, expect a lot of collateral arrests,” Homan stated. “We can’t get the bad guy in jail, so we have to go into communities and find them. There may be others.”

Sanctuary Cities in the Crosshairs

The Trump administration’s approach marks a stark contrast to the policies of the Biden administration, which limited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests to individuals convicted of serious crimes. Sanctuary cities, which refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, have long been a point of contention for Trump.

These cities, predominantly led by Democratic officials, argue that local law enforcement should not serve as extensions of federal immigration agencies. For ICE, this refusal means arresting individuals at their homes, workplaces, or in public spaces—an approach that often leads to collateral detentions.

A Massive Undertaking

The scale of the planned deportations is unprecedented. Homan highlighted the staggering numbers:

• Over 700,000 undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions.
• 1.4 million individuals ordered deported by federal judges but still residing in the U.S.

“ICE is going to do what they’re good at,” Homan emphasized.

Trump, who made immigration a cornerstone of his 2016 and 2024 campaigns, echoed this sentiment. In a recent Meet the Press interview, he defended the aggressive measures, stating, “You have no choice” but to deport everyone in the country illegally.

Operational Plans Underway

Homan revealed that preparations are already in motion, with a nationwide operation set to launch on January 20, 2025—the day Trump takes office.

“Twenty-four ICE field offices across the country will receive immediate orders,” Homan said. “They’ll begin looking for, arresting, detaining, and removing those who have been arrested for a crime.”

The operation will involve coordination on an unprecedented scale. Homan even floated the idea of using military planes to expedite deportations.

“I hope we get to that,” Homan remarked. “We could use them as a force multiplier.” Currently, ICE charters 13 planes for domestic and international transfers of detainees. Homan has already made clear his desire for additional aircraft to ramp up operations.

A Renewed Focus on Immigration Enforcement

Trump’s selection of Homan and senior advisor Stephen Miller signals a renewed focus on strict immigration policies. With a Republican-led Congress likely to back his agenda, Trump is poised to implement measures far beyond those of his first term.

“We’re starting across the country on the same day,” Homan declared, underscoring the administration’s urgency.

As the nation braces for what could be one of the most extensive deportation campaigns in U.S. history, Trump’s message is clear: his administration will leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of immigration enforcement. The impact on families, communities, and the broader political landscape remains to be seen.