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", 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

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.

February 2018: Statements on Sanctuary Cities

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, along with Kevin McAleenan, formally advised Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen to implement the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy on immigration, including family separations.

May 2018: Participated in Press Conference Announcing "Zero Tolerance" Policy

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

June 5, 2018: Defended Family Separations

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

February 25, 2022: Left America First Political Action Conference

On February 25, 2022, Homan was slated as a keynote speaker for the America First Political Action Conference, but left before it began after learning of Nick Fuentes' praise for Vladimir Putin.

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.

June 2024: Featured Speaker at Anti-Immigration Event

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

July 2024: Statements at National Conservatism Conference and Republican National Convention

In July 2024, at a National Conservatism Conference meeting, Homan stated intentions to run the "biggest deportation force" if Trump returned. On July 17 at the 2024 Republican National Convention, Homan criticized Biden's immigration policies and vowed to designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations under a Trump administration.

October 2024: Guest on Terry Newsome's Podcast

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

February 2025: Reported Meetings with Proud Boys Associate

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

February 2025: Comments Regarding NYC Mayor's Cooperation with ICE

In February 2025, while appearing on Fox & Friends with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Homan threatened to pressure Adams if he didn't cooperate with ICE on immigration issues.

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March 2025: Deportation of Alleged Gang Members to El Salvador

In March 2025, the Trump administration, under Homan's direction, deported two planeloads of people alleged to be Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador, defying a court order. Homan stated the administration completed the deportations because the court order was issued when the planes were in international airspace.

April 2025: Interview on Deportation of American 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 threw the question over to Attorney-General Pam Bondi.

2025: Promise of an increased deportation force

In July 2024, at a National Conservatism Conference meeting, Homan vowed, regarding 2025, that he will run the "biggest deportation force this country has ever seen" if Trump returned to power.