On Monday, Tom Homan, the White House border czar, delivered a stark message to undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S. He emphasized that they “cannot hide” and will face prosecution if they choose to remain in the country illegally. This announcement represents the latest initiative from the Trump administration aimed at encouraging self-deportation among undocumented individuals. “Get your affairs in order. If you’re in the country illegally, work with ICE, go to the CBP One Home app, and leave on your own,” Homan stated during a press briefing at the White House.
Homan outlined that all immigrants currently living in the U.S. without legal status must register with the federal government and carry appropriate documentation at all times. He warned that failure to register with the Department of Homeland Security or neglecting to update one’s address will be treated as a criminal offense “starting today.” This stringent directive aims to tighten immigration enforcement across the nation.
In his remarks, Homan also cautioned that undocumented immigrants with a final order to leave the country but who choose to stay will be “aggressively prosecuted.” Furthermore, they may incur daily fines of up to $998. This hardline approach underscores the administration's commitment to enforcing immigration laws and maintaining border security.
Homan’s comments coincide with the Trump administration's milestone of marking its 100th day in office. During this period, he highlighted a significant decrease in illegal border crossings, noting that they have dropped to the lowest levels seen in decades since Trump assumed the presidency. As of now, the administration has deported 139,000 migrants since January 20, encompassing individuals encountered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Coast Guard.
Despite the administration’s claims of progress, the current deportation figures lag behind those recorded during the Biden administration, according to data from NBC News. Homan expressed confidence in the numbers, particularly regarding ICE arrests and removals, stating, “The numbers are good, especially if you look at the ICE numbers. The ICE arrests and removals are far beyond Biden.” However, he acknowledged that the media has been critical, noting that comparisons to Biden's administration often consider border removals, which complicates the narrative.
The Trump administration has faced challenges in releasing comprehensive deportation statistics, instead opting to emphasize arrest and detention figures that have surged under Biden's leadership. It’s generally easier to deport individuals detained at the border compared to those arrested in the interior of the country, complicating the administration's deportation goals.
Trump's ambitious promise to swiftly deport millions of undocumented immigrants is met with several hurdles, including the need for additional funding and resources from Congress. The backlog in immigration courts continues to impede the rapid removal of undocumented individuals, creating significant bottlenecks in the system.
During the briefing, images of immigrants’ mugshots were prominently displayed along the White House’s north entrance, a route frequently used by reporters. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the administration's efforts to enhance border security and announced that Trump would sign two significant immigration executive orders that day. One order aims to “unleash America’s law enforcement,” while the other focuses on sanctuary cities, directing the attorney general and secretary of Homeland Security to compile a list of jurisdictions that obstruct federal immigration law enforcement.
Homan and Leavitt also faced inquiries regarding the arrest of a Wisconsin judge accused of assisting an individual in evading immigration authorities. Leavitt stated that anyone who interferes with federal law enforcement could face prosecution. Homan was further questioned about the deportation of U.S. citizen children alongside their mother, defending the action as a “parental decision.” He clarified that U.S. citizens are not deported and asserted that the decision to take the children was made by their parents, not the government.
This briefing reflects the Trump administration's ongoing commitment to a stringent immigration policy and highlights the challenges and complexities involved in enforcing these policies effectively.
