Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has wasted no time signing a series of executive orders, many of which directly target the millions of undocumented immigrants residing in the United States.
One of these orders enforces the removal of individuals living in the country without proper documentation, with deportations already underway.
Who exactly is the US’ “border czar”?
First, let’s break it down— a “czar” refers to someone appointed by the government to oversee and coordinate policies in a specific area.
For the Trump administration, that role has been given to former US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director Tom Homan. He was named “border czar” shortly after Trump secured his return to the White House as the 47th president.
In an interview with ABC News, the 63-year-old confirmed that with Trump’s recent executive orders on immigration, anyone residing in the US illegally is now “on the table” for deportation.
Homan also shared that the military has been sent to assist at the Mexican border, emphasizing that Trump is “sending a strong signal to the world, our border’s closed.”
Tom Homan on Deporting Illegal Immigrants
During an interview on This Week, co-anchor Martha Raddatz asked: “So, is this what we will see every single day, ending in what the president has promised is millions and millions being deported?”
Homan confirmed: “Yes. But you’re going to see the numbers steadily increase, the number of arrests nationwide as we open up the aperture. Right now, it’s concentrating on public safety threats, national security threats. That’s a smaller population.”
He elaborated further: “So, we’re going to do this on a priority base, that’s President Trump’s promise. But as that aperture opens, there’ll be more arrests nationwide.”
Homan also made it clear that anyone residing in the U.S. without legal status is at risk: “If you’re in the country illegally, you’re on the table, because it’s not OK to, you know, violate the laws of this country. You got to remember, every time you enter this country illegally, you violated a crime under Title Eight, the United States Code 1325, it’s a crime.”
He concluded with a warning: “So, if you’re in a country illegally, you got a problem. And that’s why I’m hoping those who are in the country illegally, who have not been ordered removed by the federal judge, should leave.”
Executive Order: “Protecting the American People Against Invasion”
The order criticizes the Biden administration for allowing “millions of illegal aliens” to enter the country unlawfully.
It states: “Many of these aliens unlawfully within the United States present significant threats to national security and public safety, committing vile and heinous acts against innocent Americans. Others are engaged in hostile activities, including espionage, economic espionage, and preparations for terror-related activities.”
Furthermore, it argues that “many have abused the generosity of the American people, and their presence in the United States has cost taxpayers billions of dollars at the Federal, State, and local levels.”
The order emphasizes the importance of immigration enforcement, declaring: “Enforcing our Nation’s immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States. The American people deserve a Federal Government that puts their interests first and a Government that understands its sacred obligation to prioritize the safety, security, and financial and economic well-being of Americans.”
