The relative calm that Tom Homan brought to immigration policy discussions following the firing of controversial DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was loudly slapped aside this week when Trump's border czar made a vulgar boast about the administration's plans for aggressive deportation enforcement.
Speaking at the Border Security Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, Homan declared that the Trump administration's record deportation numbers from last year would pale in comparison to what's coming next — specifically pledging to deploy more than 10,000 additional federal agents to carry out mass removals, NPR is reporting.
"If you think last year's historic number is good, wait till [sic] next year and we have 10,000 more agents on the border. You ain't seen s--- yet," Homan proudly boasted in his opening remarks. "This year will be a good year. Mass deportations are coming."
NPR's Ximena Bustillo reported that Homan directly challenged critics who question the administration's commitment to aggressive immigration enforcement, telling attendees, "For the people out there saying President Trump's weak on mass deportation, what the hell are you talking about? President Trump made a promise to the American people that's going to happen."
The border czar also signaled that the administration has no intention of dialing back who will be scooped up.
"It doesn't mean because you prioritize criminals, everybody else is off the table. I've said no one's off the table. Why is that? I don't care how long you've been here. If you're here illegally into this country, you cheated," Homan made clear.
Homan's aggressive rhetoric comes despite polling showing declining public support for the administration's enforcement approach. At the start of the year, more than half of respondents said immigration enforcement tactics had gone "too far," though nearly three-quarters of Republicans approved of ICE's work, NPR is reporting.
The report added that, while newly confirmed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin was not present at the Phoenix event, Homan insisted the secretary shares his uncompromising vision for mass deportations