U.S. "Border Czar" Tom Homan gave his first news conference on Jan. 29, since his arrival in Minnesota, affirming that “massive changes” will be made to federal immigration operations in the state. He pledged to “draw down” the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal officers within the area.
“I’m not here because the federal government has carried its mission out perfectly,” Homan said during the conference in Minneapolis. He affirmed that several members of the Trump administration, including President Donald Trump, “have recognized that certain improvements could and should be made.”
During the conference, Homan stated that Minnesota county jails have agreed to alert ICE of inmates who are in the country illegally so that the federal agency can take them into custody after their release.
"When we have these agreements, it takes less law enforcement agents to do the job," Homan commented. "More agents in the jail means less agents in the street. This is common sense cooperation that allows us to draw down the number of people we have here."
On Jan. 26, President Trump sent Homan to Minneapolis to lead the current ICE operations within the region. The announcement came after the second fatal shooting in the city by an immigration officer during an immigration operation.
Since the news conference, Homan has met with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellision with Walz’s office confirming that Homan and Walz have "agreed on the need for an ongoing dialogue."
“This is common sense cooperation that allows to draw down on the number of people we have here. Yes, I said it, draw down the number of people here,” Homan stated.
Homan also addressed ICE and Border Patrol’s (CBP) tactics during immigration crackdowns, stating that it “remains the expectation of President Trump that officers carry out their duties with 'integrity, professionalism and compassion."
"I want to be clear: ICE and CBP officers are performing their duties under tremendous circumstances, but they're trying to do it with professionalism," he asserted. "If they don't, they'll be dealt with."
