Trump Border Czar Tom Homan Seeks Funds For Massive Deportation Operation
President-elect Donald Trump’s newly appointed border czar, Tom Homan, revealed plans Wednesday for what could become the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Speaking on CNN’s The Source, Homan emphasized the need for congressional funding and at least 100,000 migrant beds to detain individuals targeted for removal.
“We need Congress to give us some money to get this done,” Homan said, noting that he is still assessing the resources available for the operation. “I don’t know how much money I want to have to buy beds or transportation contracts.”
Homan argued that Trump’s election reflected public support for stricter immigration enforcement, urging Congress to approve funding through reconciliation. “The American people voted for this,” he said. “The more deportation officers I have, the more migrants we can detain and deport.”
The plan involves Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices conducting enforcement actions across the country starting on Trump’s first day in office, Jan. 20. Homan also indicated that the military could provide planes for transporting migrants back to their home countries but clarified they would not participate in arrests.
Homan estimated the operation could cost at least $86 billion, describing it as an “expensive” but necessary investment. He argued that removing migrants would ultimately save taxpayer money by reducing federal assistance provided to those living in the country illegally.
Trump has pledged to launch an aggressive deportation effort on day one of his presidency and warned foreign governments that the U.S. would cease “business” with any nation refusing to accept deportees.
Homan has previously testified before Congress on immigration issues, including concerns about the Biden administration’s handling of border enforcement.
