President-elect Donald Trump is anticipated to reinstate several of his previous immigration policies when he assumes the presidency next month. One of these policies is likely to involve the use of family detention centers, according to his incoming border czar, Tom Homan. President Joe Biden ended the government’s policy of detaining families in 2021, and this is just one of the various policies that the Trump administration is expected to revive. Homan stated in an interview with the Washington Post that the new administration will establish facilities for families who have crossed into the country during periods of increase in border crossings.
“We’re going to need to construct family facilities,” Homan said. “How many beds we’re going to need will depend on what the data says.” Homan reiterated a commitment that the administration would begin deporting families where the parents are undocumented immigrants and their children are U.S.-born. He indicated that the decision about whether the entire family or just the undocumented parents would be deported would be left to the parents. “Here’s the issue,” Homan said. “You knew you were in the country illegally and chose to have a child. So you put your family in that position.”
In his new role, Homan has announced plans for aggressive deportation efforts, with a particular focus on cities like Chicago. He has warned local officials, including mayors and governors, not to interfere with federal immigration enforcement actions.
During a recent appearance in Chicago, Homan stated that the biggest deportation operation in U.S. history would begin on January 21st, the day after Trump’s inauguration. He specifically cautioned Chicago’s mayor, saying, “If your Chicago mayor doesn’t want to help, he can step aside. But if he impedes us–if he knowingly harbors or conceals an illegal alien–I will prosecute him.”
Homan has also indicated that the administration plans to reinstate controversial policies, such as family detention for migrants. He emphasized that while their primary focus will be on individuals considered public safety and national security threats, anyone in the country illegally could potentially face deportation. Homan has been strict with leaders in “sanctuary cities,” previously telling the Washington Examiner to “expect a lot of collateral arrests.” He added: “I mean, not priority criminal arrests. We can’t get the bad guy in jail. That means we have to go into the communities and find them, and there may be others. We expect a lot of collateral arrests.”
In a more conciliatory moment during his interview with the Post, the incoming border czar expressed a desire to maintain public trust. He emphasized the administration’s commitment to both securing the border and enforcing immigration laws in a manner that would uphold the nation’s confidence. “We need to show the American people we can do this and not be inhumane about it,” Homan said. “We can’t lose the faith of the American people.”
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.