Career Timeline of Tom Homan: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Tom Homan built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Thomas Douglas Homan is an American law enforcement officer and political commentator. He served as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from January 2017 to June 2018. In November 2024, president-elect Donald Trump designated Homan as "border czar", whose official title is White House Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations, during Trump's second presidency.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1983: Became Police Officer

In 1983, Thomas Homan became a police officer in West Carthage.

1984: Joined US Immigration and Naturalization Service

In 1984, Thomas Homan joined the US Immigration and Naturalization Service and served as a United States Border Patrol agent, investigator, and supervisor for 30 years.

2003: Supervisor on the Texas border with Mexico

In 2003, Homan was a supervisor on the Texas border with Mexico. An incident in Victoria TX stands out: the human smuggling case in which 19 illegal immigrants died.

May 2012: Daniel Ragsdale appointed as deputy director

In May 2012, Daniel Ragsdale was first appointed as deputy director of ICE, a position he was demoted back to in January 2017 when Homan was appointed acting director.

2013: Appointed Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations

In 2013, President Barack Obama appointed Homan as Immigration and Customs Enforcement's executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations.

2014: Advocated for Separating Children from Caregivers

By 2014, under the Obama administration, Homan began to argue that separating children from their caregivers would be an effective means of discouraging illegal border crossings.

January 30, 2017: Appointed Acting ICE Director

On January 30, 2017, President Donald Trump appointed Homan as acting director of ICE.

May 2017: ICE Arrests Increased

In May 2017, Homan announced that ICE had arrested 41,319 people between Inauguration Day and the end of April, which was a 38% increase from the same period the year before.

November 14, 2017: Nominated for ICE Director

On November 14, 2017, Donald Trump nominated Homan for ICE director.

June 2018: Retired as Acting ICE Director

In June 2018, Thomas Homan retired from his position as acting ICE director.

June 29, 2018: End of term as acting ICE director

On June 29, 2018, Thomas Homan's service as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) concluded.

2018: Contributor to Fox News

After 2018, Homan began contributing to Fox News as a commentator.

July 2019: Testified Before U.S. House Oversight Committee

In July 2019, Thomas Homan testified before the U.S. House Oversight Committee regarding the Trump administration's family separation policy.

March 2020: Published "Defend the Border and Save Lives"

In March 2020, Homan published "Defend the Border and Save Lives: Solving Our Most Important Humanitarian and Security Crisis".

February 2022: Joined the Heritage Foundation

In February 2022, Homan joined the Heritage Foundation.

November 2022: Launched "Defend the Border and Save Lives" Project

In November 2022, Homan launched a border-focused project called "Defend the Border and Save Lives" in collaboration with the United West, a group designated as an anti-Muslim hate group.

November 10, 2024: Announcement as "Border Czar"

On November 10, 2024, President-elect Trump announced that Homan would join the incoming administration as the "border czar", officially the White House Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations, to oversee deportation efforts.

November 2024: Designated "Border Czar"

In November 2024, Donald Trump designated Thomas Homan as "border czar" with the official title of White House Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations, during Trump's second presidency.

2025: Contributor to Project 2025

In 2022, Homan became a contributor to the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, which proposes mass arrests, detentions and deportations of illegal immigrants.