President Donald Trump's border czar Tom Homan was confronted by MeidasTouch's Luke Radel about Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics — and stood his ground even as his talking points got torn apart.
"Do you believe that ICE should be arresting parents in front of their children at school bus stops?" asked Radel, referencing reports out of Bridgeport, Connecticut, late last month.
"I’m not aware of that," said Homan. "Are they in the country illegally?"
"He was in the country illegally for 20 years but did not commit any other crimes while in the interior of the United States," said Radel. "Should he be arrested in front of his 16-year-old daughter at the school bus stop?"
Homan once again tried to deny any knowledge, but Radel said, "ICE confirmed it in a statement," and pressed him further. "What message does it send to children at school bus stops to see migrants arrested?"
"Have a citizen child and you’re off the table?" shot back Homan. "That’s the message you want to send the whole world."
"Is there anywhere that ICE won’t arrest parents of children, at the school, in a hospital and in a church?" asked Radel. Homan demanded evidence of anyone arrested in those places, to which Radel shot back, "I’m asking, is that a line for you to cross?"
"If you’re a significant public safety threat, national security threat, there is no sanctuary," said Homan. "But I point out the fact that ICE agents are doing the right thing. You can’t give me one example where someone’s been arrested in those areas."
"I gave you an example of someone at a school bus stop, and you said you hadn’t heard of it," said Radel. Homan reiterated he hadn't heard of it, but Radel jumped in to correct him: "You were asked about it on CNN last week. It was at a school bus stop with their 16-year-old daughter."
As Homan continued to say he doesn't have full information on the case, Radel asked again, "Do you think that someone who’s been in the country for 20 years, has a 16-year-old daughter, has a family in the community in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a significant national security threat? Someone that ICE should prioritize arresting at a school bus stop?"