Tom Homan, chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to spearhead efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, shared with Newsmax on Friday several measures that could be implemented immediately to address the ongoing border crisis. While quick actions could bring some relief, he noted it might take a few months to fully stabilize the situation.
Speaking on American Agenda, Homan said Trump could act decisively on his first day in office by ending the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policy. This policy allows migrants apprehended at the border to be released into the U.S. while awaiting immigration proceedings.
Homan also proposed reviving a policy akin to the safe third country agreement from Trump’s first term, which required asylum seekers passing through a Central American nation to seek refuge there before applying in the U.S. He cited the existing agreement between the U.S. and Canada as an example of how this could work.
Additionally, Homan highlighted the importance of reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy. Under this arrangement, asylum seekers would be required to wait in Mexico while their U.S. immigration cases are processed. However, he acknowledged that reintroducing this policy would require Mexico’s cooperation.
“The president got a mandate from the American people,” Homan explained. “There are things he can do immediately: End catch-and-release, put the safe third country agreements in there; both game changers. But Remain in Mexico is the biggest-game changer. I know discussions already are happening.
“If we can get the Remain in Mexico program back in quickly, that will move the numbers down incredibly. But ending catch-and-release on day one is going to send a strong message to the world: You can’t cross this border illegally, which is a crime, and get released into the United States. You will be detained or removed. You take a choice.”
When discussing deportations, Homan revealed that plans are being developed to prioritize the removal of undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds.
“There are plenty of criminals to arrest,” he said. “If you look at the data between the Trump administration and the Biden administration, the deportations are at an all-time low. Deportations of illegal aliens with criminal convictions is down 74%, even though the Biden administration lied to the American people saying public safety threats are going to be the main priority. They weren’t.”
Homan emphasized that the focus would be on those with serious criminal convictions but made it clear that all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. would face consequences.
“We’ve got a target-rich environment. We’ve got over 700,000 illegal aliens with a felony conviction walking the streets. So, they’ll be a target [as] national security threats. I want to send a clear message. Prioritization doesn’t mean everybody else is off the table. If you’re in the United States illegally, you’ve got a problem.”
{Matzav.com}