Who is Tom Homan? Trump names former Border Patrol agent, ICE chief named 'border czar'

WASHINGTON ?President-elect Donald Trump named Tom Homan, a former Border Patrol agent who rose to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement, his next "border czar" overseeing mass deportations promised during the campaign.

Homan oversaw contentious enforcement of border security, including a “zero tolerance” policy that led to separating migrant families, during Trump’s first administration. He became a key surrogate for Trump during the campaign explaining how border security could be beefed up.

The post of “border czar” isn’t an official job title at the Department of Homeland Security, leaving open what Trump intends Homan to do. But the announcement was one of Trump’s first job assignments during his transition to take office on Jan. 20, reflecting the priority he places on border security.

Here’s what we know about Homan:

Homan was first Border Patrol agent to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Homan served 34 years with the Border Patrol before becoming acting director of ICE during the first two years of Trump’s first term. He was the first rank-and-file agent to lead the agency that oversees immigration enforcement.

As he told the Republican National Convention in July, Homan served under six presidents of both parties starting with Ronald Reagan. But while they all promised to improve border security, Homan said Trump was the only one who actually did it.

“Guess what? He’s going to do it again,” Homan said.

Deportations were higher during the Obama administration than during the Trump administration, according to DHS figures. Obama averaged more than 382,000 removals per year by government order during the eight years of his presidency, for a total of nearly 3.1 million. Trump averaged 300,000 removals per year, for a total of 1.2 million.

But Trump instituted policies such as forcing migrants to remain in Mexico while making asylum claims and blocking entry for migrants under a health statute during the coronavirus pandemic.

What does 'border czar' mean for Homan's new job?

Trump described Homan's job as a "border czar" overseeing security along the southern and northern borders, along with all maritime and aviation security.

The DHS handles those responsibilities. But Trump didn't designate Homan as secretary of that department, leaving open what his role will actually be.

“I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin.”

Workplace raids are possible in tracking migrants

Trump campaigned saying he would begin mass deportations on his first day in office. He is expected to mobilize agencies across the government to help report an estimated 11 million migrants who are in the country without legal permission.

Vice President-elect JD Vance said the administration could remove an estimated 1 million people per year.

But advocacy groups for immigrants have warned such widespread deportations could hurt the workforce for jobs in agriculture or the service industry such as hotels and restaurants. Tracking down migrants could require authorities to visit their homes or conduct raids on businesses.

"Public safety threats and national security threats will be the priority,” Homan told Fox News. “They pose the most danger to this country."

"Worksite operations have to happen,” Homan added.

Mass deportations could lead to clashes with state and local governments

Some jurisdictions have passed laws to protect migrants from the enforcement of federal immigration laws, providing what are sometimes called “sanctuary cities.” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Manuel Castro, New York City’s commissioner for immigrant affairs, each said after Trump’s election they would work to protect migrants.

But Homan said the federal government would seek cooperation from state and local law enforcement.

"We're going to do the job without you or with you,” Homan said.

What is Homan's background?

Homan has served as a police officer in New York, a federal Border Patrol agent, a special agent with the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, as well as a supervisory special agent and deputy assistant director for investigations at ICE.

"I saw firsthand Tom’s leadership and knowledge of border security and immigration enforcement," Chad Wolf, former acting secretary of homeland secretary, said on social media. "I’m certain he will do all he can to secure the border and safeguard our communities."

In Texas, he became ICE’s assistant director for investigations in the San Antonio district and in the Dallas district. He later took leadership roles in ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Office.

Homan earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and received the Presidential Rank Award in 2015 for accomplishments in immigration enforcement.

(This story was updated with additional context.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Tom Homan? Former Border Patrol agent becomes 'border czar'