In a bold move signaling a return to hardline immigration policies, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced late Sunday that he has appointed former ICE Director Tom Homan to lead the country’s border security efforts.
Homan, who was a prominent figure in Trump’s first administration, is set to oversee a sweeping new immigration enforcement strategy, including what Trump described as the “largest deportation operation” of undocumented immigrants in U.S. history.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump shared, “I am pleased to announce that former ICE Director and staunch advocate for border control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration as ‘The Border Czar.’ I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there’s nobody better at policing and controlling our borders.” Trump further detailed that Homan’s role will include responsibility for “all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin.”
Homan, who has consistently voiced his support for strict immigration control, reiterated his stance earlier this year at the Republican National Convention, telling attendees, “I have a message for the millions of illegal immigrants Joe Biden has released into our country: You better start packing now.”
Trump’s win in the November 5 election marks an unexpected return to the presidency after his defeat in 2020, strengthening his influence on U.S. conservative politics. While he is not scheduled for inauguration until January, Trump has already set plans in motion for his cabinet, recently appointing campaign manager Susie Wiles as his incoming Chief of Staff. In another key diplomatic post, he offered the role of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who accepted the position with a statement of gratitude.
Trump’s approach to immigration has consistently been one of uncompromising measures. During his campaign, he portrayed an “invasion” of undocumented migrants as a pressing threat, citing concerns about crime and economic strain on Americans. Although statistics show that migrants typically commit fewer crimes than U.S. citizens, Trump’s rhetoric has focused on high-profile cases that stoke public fears, particularly concerning violence and alleged threats to communities.
In an ambitious twist, Trump announced plans to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as part of a new mass deportation initiative dubbed “Operation Aurora.” This law, rarely used in recent years, would enable federal authorities to deport immigrants from what he described as “enemy nations.”
“Operation Aurora” was named after a viral incident in Aurora, Illinois, where videos of armed Latino men circulated online, fueling widely debunked stories of “gang takeovers” and tensions over immigrant communities. Trump’s plans to use the law as a framework for broad deportations mark a significant step in his immigration agenda.
As the Biden administration’s policies have brought migrant encounters to levels seen during Trump’s last term, the incoming president’s intensified stance is poised to reshape the border landscape once again. With Homan at the helm, Trump’s vision of border security reflects a familiar return to strict enforcement, backed by a narrative of “protecting Americans.”
