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President Donald Trump announced that his border czar, Tom Homan, will visit Minneapolis this week following the fatal shooting of an ICU nurse that has intensified opposition to the administration’s immigration policies. The visit comes as protests have erupted across the city after Alex Pretti’s shooting, with eyewitness accounts reportedly contradicting the administration’s official narrative.
Homan’s trip coincides with growing bipartisan calls for an independent investigation into immigration enforcement tactics. These tactics have drawn heightened scrutiny following another fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident by immigration agents just weeks earlier.
A veteran with four decades of experience in immigration enforcement, Homan began his career in 1984 as a Border Patrol agent before transitioning to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when the agency was created in 2003. During the Obama administration, he led ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division, responsible for tracking and deporting individuals with outstanding removal orders.
Despite his unwavering support for Trump and criticism of President Biden, some view Homan as a moderating influence compared to others in the current administration. This perception exists despite his association with controversial family separation policies during previous immigration enforcement actions.
In 2015, Homan received a Presidential Rank Award from the Obama administration, recognizing his effectiveness. His retirement plans in January 2017 were interrupted when then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly asked him to remain at ICE, a position he accepted after brief consideration.
While the Obama administration carried out a record 432,000 deportations in 2013, deportations under Trump’s first term never exceeded 350,000 annually. However, Homan’s appointment as border czar under Trump was seen as bringing both ideological alignment and practical experience to the role.
Homan has consistently taken a hardline stance on illegal immigration, making no apologies for the Trump policy of targeting all undocumented individuals regardless of criminal history. “If you’re in the country illegally, you should be concerned,” he stated in a 2018 interview with The Associated Press. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
In discussing his enforcement philosophy, Homan has acknowledged the human impact while maintaining his focus on enforcing immigration laws. “People think I enjoy this. I’m a father. People don’t think this bothers me. I feel bad about the plight of these people. Don’t get me wrong, but I have a job to do,” he told the AP.
More recently, Homan promised to run “the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen” and has advocated for resuming worksite immigration enforcement operations, which largely ceased under the Biden administration.
During a 2024 Fox News appearance, Homan pledged to prioritize individuals posing public safety and national security threats, calling them “the worst of the worst.” He also rejected suggestions that the military would assist in deportations, promising to implement Trump’s plans in a “humane manner.”
In a “60 Minutes” interview before the 2024 election, Homan dismissed concerns about mass neighborhood raids or detention camps as “ridiculous.” When asked about family separations, he responded, “Families can be deported together.”
Despite these statements, recent reports from Minnesota indicate ICE agents have detained people with legal immigration status, no criminal records, children, and even U.S. citizens—actions that appear inconsistent with Homan’s stated priorities.
Homan faced controversy in September when reports emerged that he had accepted $50,000 from undercover FBI agents posing as businesspeople during an operation that led to a bribery investigation. The investigation was later closed by Trump’s Justice Department. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Homan, characterizing the encounter as an effort by the Biden administration to “entrap one of the president’s top allies and supporters.”
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16 Comments
This will certainly be a contentious visit, with Homan’s pro-enforcement views clashing with the concerns of local activists. However, if he’s willing to listen and seek common ground, it could be an opportunity for constructive dialogue on a complex issue.
That’s a fair point. Finding areas of common ground and understanding differing perspectives will be crucial if any progress is to be made on these divisive topics.
Interesting to see Homan visiting Minneapolis after the recent shooting incident. As a veteran immigration enforcement official, his perspective on the situation could provide some useful insights, though I imagine there will be skepticism from those critical of the administration’s policies.
Agree, his visit will likely stir up strong reactions on both sides of the immigration debate. Calls for an independent investigation seem prudent to get a clearer picture of what happened.
Homan’s visit to Minneapolis comes at a tense time, with the community grappling with the aftermath of the recent shooting and broader concerns about immigration enforcement tactics. His expertise is relevant, but the political dynamics will make this a challenging situation that requires nuance and diplomacy.
Agreed. Homan’s visit is an opportunity to foster understanding, but it will take real effort from all sides to move beyond the heated rhetoric and find constructive solutions.
Homan’s visit to Minneapolis raises a lot of questions about the administration’s immigration enforcement tactics and their impact on local communities. While his expertise is relevant, the political dynamics will make this a challenging visit that requires nuance and diplomacy.
Absolutely. Homan’s role as a ‘border czar’ under Trump means he has a lot of baggage to overcome. But an open and honest discussion, even if it’s difficult, could lead to productive outcomes.
Given the sensitive nature of this issue, Homan’s visit to Minneapolis will be closely watched. His hardline stance on immigration enforcement may clash with local concerns, but if he’s willing to engage constructively, it could be an opportunity for meaningful dialogue.
That’s a fair assessment. Homan’s reputation and the political climate make this a high-stakes visit. Keeping an open mind and finding common ground will be crucial if any progress is to be made.
I’m curious to hear Homan’s take on the recent shooting and the broader immigration enforcement tactics used in Minneapolis. While his views are likely to differ from local activists, an open dialogue could lead to some productive discussions.
Indeed, dialogue and understanding different perspectives will be key. Homan’s visit is a chance to foster that, if all sides are willing to engage in good faith.
Given Homan’s background and support for Trump’s hardline immigration stance, his visit to Minneapolis will probably not be an easy one. However, his experience could offer a unique viewpoint, if he’s willing to engage constructively with the community.
True, if Homan can find a way to listen to local concerns and speak openly, it may help bridge some of the divide. But the heated political climate makes that challenging.
Homan’s visit seems timely given the heightened tensions in Minneapolis over immigration enforcement. As a veteran of the field, his insights could be valuable, but the political dynamics make it a delicate situation that requires careful navigation.
Agreed. Homan’s experience is relevant, but the community’s trust will need to be earned through open and transparent dialogue, not just asserting a hardline stance.