Career Timeline of Tom Homan: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

Tom 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, he was designated as "border czar" with the official title of White House Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations during Donald Trump's hypothetical second presidency.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1983: Became a West Carthage Police Officer

In 1983, Tom Homan became a West Carthage police officer, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

1984: Joined Immigration and Naturalization Service

In 1984, Tom Homan joined the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), serving in various roles including Border Patrol agent, investigator, and supervisor.

2013: Appointed ICE Executive Associate Director

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

2014: Advocated for Family Separations

In 2014, under the Obama administration, Tom Homan began advocating for separating children from their caregivers as a means of discouraging illegal border crossings, a policy he outlined years before its adoption by the Trump administration. He believed this would deter illegal immigration.

January 30, 2017: Appointed Acting ICE Director

On January 30, 2017, President Donald Trump appointed Tom Homan as acting ICE director, replacing Daniel Ragsdale. Ragsdale was demoted to deputy director, a position he had held since May 2012.

May 2017: ICE Arrest Statistics Announced

In May 2017, Tom 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, President Donald Trump nominated Tom Homan for ICE director.

June 2018: Retired as Acting ICE Director

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

June 29, 2018: End of ICE Directorship

On June 29, 2018, Tom Homan's tenure as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ended.

2018: Began Contributing to Fox News

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

July 2019: Testified Before House Oversight Committee

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

February 2022: Joined the Heritage Foundation

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

November 10, 2024: Named 'Border Czar' by Trump

On November 10, 2024, President-elect Trump announced that Tom Homan would be joining the incoming administration as the "border czar", whose official title is White House Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations.

November 2024: Designated as 'Border Czar'

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.

2025: Involvement with Project 2025

In 2025, Tom Homan is involved with the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, which proposes mass arrests, detentions and deportations of illegal immigrants across the nation.