White House border czar Tom Homan warned this week that the Trump administration is preparing a tougher response to escalating anti-ICE protests, signaling that demonstrators who move beyond lawful protest and interfere with federal immigration operations could face arrest, public identification and prosecution as unrest grows in several cities.
Homan made the remarks during an appearance on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” where he said federal officials are exploring the creation of a database that would track individuals arrested for obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities.
The proposal, he said, is aimed at deterring violence and preventing interference with agents carrying out immigration enforcement duties.
“We’re going to create a database,” Homan said. “Those people that are arrested for interfering, impeding, and assault, we’re going to make them famous and put their face on TV.”
He argued that publicly identifying those charged with crimes would reinforce accountability and discourage repeat offenses.
While emphasizing support for the First Amendment, Homan drew a sharp distinction between peaceful demonstrations and actions that put officers at risk.
“You can protest, they have that right,” he told host Laura Ingraham. “But when you cross that line … if you interfere or impede some ICE officer, you will be prosecuted.”
He added that enforcement efforts are focused on criminal conduct, not political expression.
Homan also pushed back against what he described as misleading portrayals of ICE operations, saying negative media coverage has contributed to rising hostility toward federal agents.
“Look, bottom line is 70 percent of everybody arrested is a criminal,” he said.
He rejected claims that ICE routinely targets children or conducts raids at schools, churches, or hospitals, stating that operations are carried out under existing legal authority and directed at individuals with criminal records.
The comments come amid heightened tensions in Minnesota following statements by Gov. Tim Walz (D) encouraging residents to film ICE agents during enforcement actions.
According to RedState, Walz said recording activity could help create documentation for future accountability. Homan criticized the approach, warning it could embolden harassment and interference with federal officers.
“These people who want to say ‘follow ICE’ and ‘film ICE,’ you know what, you can protest,” he said, reiterating that obstruction would not be tolerated.
Tensions intensified further after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good during an ICE enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.
The Trump administration later described Good as a “domestic terrorist,” a characterization that drew criticism from state and local officials.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey renewed his opposition to ICE activity in the city, arguing that federal operations have generated fear and disruption among residents.
“We care deeply about our immigrant population,” Frey said while calling for agents to leave the area.
Homan has also warned that the political rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement has led to personal consequences. During an appearance on “The Faulkner Focus,” he said death threats against him and his family have increased sharply in recent weeks.
“I said back in March, if the hateful rhetoric doesn’t decrease, there’s going to be bloodshed,” Homan said, according to MEAWW. “Unfortunately, I was right.”
He blamed political leaders for language he believes fuels hostility toward ICE officers and their families.
As protests continue, Homan indicated that additional federal measures remain under consideration, including the possible use of the Insurrection Act if state officials fail to contain violent unrest.
President Donald Trump echoed that warning in a recent Truth Social post, saying he would act if Minnesota leaders do not stop what he called “professional agitators and insurrectionists” from attacking ICE agents.
Homan said such options “need to be on the table” as the administration weighs its next steps, stressing that federal authorities will not allow immigration enforcement to be derailed by intimidation or violence.
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