Title: Tom Homan: What to Expect from Trump's New 'Border Tsar' on Immigration

As Trump prepares for his second term inauguration in January, veteran immigration official Tom Homan is set to take on the pivotal role of 'border tsar.' With a career spanning decades in law enforcement and border control, Homan’s approach to curbing illegal immigration—one of Trump’s primary campaign promises—will be watched closely by both supporters and critics alike.

Homan, a former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has portrayed the immigration situation at the U.S. border as 'the biggest national security vulnerability this nation has seen since 9/11.' His tough stance on immigration was evident during the Republican National Convention, where he starkly warned undocumented immigrants, “You better start packing now.”

Reversing Previous Policies

Homan has already begun outlining his strategies. In a CBS News interview, he hinted at a significant shift in focus from the current Biden administration's policies. Under Biden, ICE has emphasized deporting serious criminals and national security threats, which helps protect long-term undocumented immigrants who have not committed crimes. In contrast, Homan has indicated a preference for targeting non-criminal immigrants after prioritizing public safety and security threats.

Targeted Enforcement Tactics

He advocates for a precision-based approach to immigration enforcement. “It’s not gonna be a mass sweep of neighborhoods. It's not gonna be building concentration camps. I've read it all. It's ridiculous,” Homan emphasized. His plan involves conducting targeted arrests based on thorough investigative processes, suggesting a systematic rather than a haphazard approach to deportations.

Family-Centric Deportation Approach

One notable shift from previous policies is Homan's assurance that families could be deported together. His intentions seem to diverge from the controversial 'zero tolerance' policy that resulted in widespread family separations under Trump’s past administration. While he was involved in signing off on that policy, he has expressed a desire to avoid repeating those mistakes, instead focusing on keeping families intact during deportation processes.

Reviving Workplace Raids

In addition to border strategy, Homan is advocating for a return to mass immigration arrests at workplaces that were halted under Biden. He refers to these operations as work-site enforcement, asserting that a legal framework exists for these actions. He emphasizes that individuals have the right to claim asylum and see a judge, but if they do not win their case, they must be deported.

Homan's Professional Journey

Born in 1961, Homan began his career as a police officer in New York before transitioning to a role as a border patrol agent, which forms the backbone of his expertise. His tenure saw a notable increase in deportations, awarded with the Presidential Rank Award for his service. After serving as acting ICE director under Trump’s administration from 2017 to 2018, Homan has remained a significant voice on immigration issues, now contributing to The Heritage Foundation and conservative think tanks.

As the new administration approaches, Homan’s plans could reshape U.S. immigration policy dramatically. With ongoing debates about the future of immigration in America, all eyes will be on the actions of this seasoned official as he implements his strategies. Will Homan's aggressive tactics deliver the promised reduction in illegal immigration, or will they spark renewed controversy and division? Only time will tell!