Major Controversies Surrounding Tom Homan: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Tom Homan—discover key moments of controversy.

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," with the official title of White House Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations, during Trump's hypothetical second presidency.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2014: Advocating for Family Separations

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

February 2018: Criticism of Sanctuary City Policies

In February 2018, Homan stated that politicians who support sanctuary city policies should be charged with crimes.

April 2018: Advised Implementing Zero Tolerance Policy

In April 2018, Homan and Kevin McAleenan formally advised Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen to implement the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy on immigration, including the prosecution of parents and the separation of children from their families.

May 2018: Announcement of Zero Tolerance Policy

In May 2018, Homan participated in the press conference announcing that the "zero tolerance" policy on immigration was going into effect.

June 5, 2018: Defense of Family Separations

On June 5, 2018, Homan appeared for a discussion with the policy director of the Center for Immigration Studies, where he defended the separation of children from their parents.

July 2019: Testified Before House Oversight Committee

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

November 2022: Launched Border-Focused Project

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

June 2024: Speaker at Anti-Immigration Event

In June 2024, Homan was a featured speaker at an anti-immigration event hosted by Terry Newsome in Chicago.

July 2024: Comments at National Conservatism Conference

At a July 2024 National Conservatism Conference meeting, Homan stated that if Trump returns in January, he will lead the biggest deportation force the country has ever seen. On July 17, at the 2024 Republican National Convention, Homan called Biden's immigration policies "national suicide" and told "millions of illegal aliens" to "start packing".

October 2024: Guest on Terry Newsome's Podcast

In October 2024, Homan was a guest on Terry Newsome's podcast.

February 2025: Meetings with Proud Boys Associate

In February 2025, Hatewatch reported that Homan met multiple times with Proud Boys associate Terry Newsome.

February 2025: Comments to Eric Adams on Fox & Friends

In February 2025, while appearing with New York City mayor Eric Adams on the Fox News program Fox & Friends, Homan threatened Adams regarding cooperation with ICE on immigration issues.

Loading Video...

March 2025: Deportations Defying Court Order

In March 2025, two planeloads of people alleged to be Venezuelan gang members were deported to El Salvador, defying a court order blocking the deportations. Homan stated that the administration completed the deportations despite the court order.

April 2025: Interview on Deportation of Citizens

On 17 April 2025, Homan was interviewed by Kaitlan Collins about the deportation of American citizens to foreign prisons. He said that was "out of his lane" and deferred to Attorney-General Pam Bondi.

2025: Plans for Mass Deportation

In July 2024, at a National Conservatism Conference meeting, Homan referenced 2025 and his plans to run the biggest deportation force the country has ever seen if Trump returns to office.