Tom Homan, the newly appointed border czar for the Trump administration, announced Tuesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had arrested 308 individuals classified as “illegal aliens” in operations that began shortly after President Donald Trump was sworn into office on Monday.
“ICE is doing their job,” Homan stated, according to the New York Post. He emphasized that the initial arrests targeted individuals who pose threats to public safety, noting that there are approximately 700,000 such individuals currently in the United States.
Trump border czar Tom Homan announced that in the last 24 hours, ICE has already arrested 308 criminal illegals responsible for crimes including murder and child r*pe.
Winning 🙌 pic.twitter.com/JXfhxILTRe
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 22, 2025
Homan, appointed to his role after Trump’s election victory in November, has been outspoken about his commitment to implementing the mass deportation operations promised during Trump’s campaign.
“The focus is on those who have committed criminal acts in addition to entering the country illegally,” Homan explained. He highlighted that ICE would prioritize deporting individuals currently incarcerated, facing charges, or subject to existing detainers.
Homan emphasized the urgency of the situation, vowing to “hit the ground running” and deliver on the administration’s promises to secure the border and enforce immigration laws more strictly.
The first steps of ICE’s operations were reportedly planned in Chicago, but Homan adjusted the strategy to address security concerns before proceeding. Despite these adjustments, the agency moved quickly to initiate enforcement.
Since President Trump took office, several significant actions have already been implemented:
- Border Closure: The El Paso border crossing has been shut down.
- Refugee Flights Canceled: Flights scheduled to bring refugees into the United States have been halted.
- CBP One App Deactivated: The CBP One app, which allowed migrants to schedule surrender times at ports of entry, has been disabled.
These measures align with Trump’s broader strategy to reverse what he has criticized as lax border policies under the previous administration.
Homan’s announcement underscores the administration’s intent to make immigration enforcement a top priority. By targeting individuals who pose the greatest threats to public safety and taking immediate action to secure the border, the Trump administration is signaling a decisive shift in policy.
With the rapid implementation of these measures, Homan and the Trump administration are delivering on their promise to enforce stricter immigration controls and address longstanding concerns about illegal immigration and border security.