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 who has served in various roles related to immigration and border security. He was the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from January 2017 to June 2018. Homan served in both the Obama and first Trump administrations. In November 2024, Donald Trump designated Homan as "border czar" in anticipation of a second Trump presidency.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2014: Homan Advocates for Family Separation Policy

By 2014, under the Obama administration, Tom Homan began arguing that separating children from their caregivers would be an effective way to discourage illegal border crossings, earning him the title of "intellectual father" of the policy.

February 2018: Homan Advocates Charging Sanctuary City Supporters with Crimes

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

April 2018: Homan Advises Implementation of Zero-Tolerance Policy

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

May 2018: Homan Participates in Press Conference Announcing Zero-Tolerance Policy

In May 2018, Tom Homan participated in the press conference announcing the implementation of the Trump administration's zero-tolerance policy on immigration.

June 5, 2018: Homan Defends Family Separations

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

July 2019: Homan Testifies on Family Separation Policy

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

November 2022: Homan Launches Border-Focused Project

In November 2022, Tom Homan launched a border-focused project called "Defend the Border and Save Lives" in collaboration with the United West, which has faced criticism for promoting inflammatory rhetoric.

June 2024: Homan Speaker at Anti-Immigration Event

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

July 2024: Homan Speaks at National Conservatism Conference

In July 2024, at a National Conservatism Conference meeting, Tom Homan stated his intent to run "the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen" if Trump returned to office.

September 2024: Homan Reportedly Recorded Accepting Cash

In September 2024, Tom Homan was reportedly recorded accepting a bag containing $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents posing as business executives as part of a bribery investigation.

September 2024: Federal Bribery Investigation

In September 2024, Tom Homan was the subject of a federal bribery investigation after reportedly being recorded accepting a paper bag with $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents.

October 2024: Homan Guest on Newsome's Podcast

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

February 2025: Homan Reportedly Met with Proud Boys Associate

In February 2025, Hatewatch reported that Tom Homan met multiple times with Proud Boys associate Terry Newsome, presumably to discuss mass deportation.

February 2025: Homan on Fox & Friends

In February 2025, while appearing with New York City mayor Eric Adams on the Fox News program Fox & Friends to discuss Adams's cooperation with ICE on immigration issues, Tom Homan threatened Adams if he didn't fulfill their agreement.

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March 2025: Deportations to El Salvador Defying Court Order

In March 2025, under Tom Homan, the Trump administration deported two planeloads of people to El Salvador, defying a court order blocking the deportations.

April 17, 2025: Homan Interview on Deportation of American Citizens

On April 17, 2025, Tom Homan was interviewed by Kaitlan Collins about the deportation of American citizens to foreign prisons and deferred the question to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

September 2025: DOJ Closes Investigation

In September 2025, the Department of Justice closed the investigation into Tom Homan, citing insufficient evidence.

2025: Bribery Case Closed

In 2025, after Trump assumed the presidency, Justice Department officials closed the federal bribery case against Tom Homan, citing insufficient evidence.

2025: Homan Contributes to Project 2025

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

2025: Deportation Plans

In July 2024, at a National Conservatism Conference meeting, Tom Homan stated his intent to run "the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen" in 2025 if Trump returned to office.