In a speech delivered to Chicago Republicans, Tom Homan, appointed by Donald Trump as his “border czar,” articulated a strict and unyielding approach to immigration enforcement. Homan, who previously led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as acting director, emphasized the administration’s intent A to rigorously apply existing immigration laws. He noted that even U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants could be affected by these policies, underscoring the administration’s hardline stance.
Homan explicitly rejected any suggestion of targeting families but maintained that enforcing immigration laws could lead to unavoidable separations. “When you have a child, that’s on you,” Homan remarked, according to Politico. “I’m not looking to separate families at all. That’s not my goal. My goal is to enforce the law. But if you put yourself in that position, it may happen.”
These comments appeared to diverge from Trump’s more conciliatory tone toward Dreamers—undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children—during a recent interview. On NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump acknowledged the necessity of addressing their status, stating, “We have to do something about the Dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age.” Homan’s speech, however, reinforced the administration’s broader commitment to mass deportations, suggesting a more uncompromising trajectory.
The former ICE director also leveled sharp criticisms at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, accusing them of neglecting public safety through their support for sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. In a fiery critique, he declared, “Chicago is in trouble because your mayor sucks and your governor sucks,” a comment that drew applause from the audience. Homan urged leaders to emulate New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has engaged more directly with federal immigration agencies. “Help us protect you,” Homan implored, “But if you don’t, get the hell out of the way.”
Pritzker, a vocal opponent of the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, did not shy away from responding. He recently declared, “You come for my people, you come through me,” underscoring his resistance to Homan’s proposals. Homan, for his part, suggested collaboration but admitted he had not reached out to Democratic leaders directly. Instead, he referenced Adams’ willingness to initiate dialogue as a model for others to follow.
The speech resonated with some local officials, including Chicago Alderman Nicholas Sposato, one of the few vocal Trump supporters in the city council. Sposato highlighted that Illinois’ sanctuary policies did not preclude federal enforcement efforts, noting, “It means law enforcement just has to stay out of the way.”
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