Trump announces immigration official Tom Homan as 'border czar'

The 78-year-old Trump has pledged to initiate the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, starting on day one of his new term. He announced that former ICE Director Tom Homan, whom he called a “border stalwart,” would be joining his administration as “The Border Czar” to oversee deportations of undocumented immigrants.

Trump’s return to the presidency solidifies a decade marked by his hardline policies and strict immigration stance. Throughout his campaign, he frequently targeted undocumented immigrants, portraying them as a grave threat to American society and invoking fears of a so-called "invasion."

Despite years of complex issues at the U.S.-Mexico border, Trump amplified concerns with warnings of violent immigrants—despite data showing migrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born citizens. Violent crime, which rose during his previous term, has actually declined under Biden’s administration.

The number of encounters with migrants at the border is now similar to 2020 levels after hitting a peak in December 2023. Trump’s plan includes using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport foreign nationals and launch “Operation Aurora.” Inspired by a viral video of armed individuals in Aurora, Trump has spread exaggerated stories, including a false claim that Haitian migrants are harming locals in Springfield, Ohio.