Tom Homan, the newly appointed "border czar" under President-elect Donald Trump, announced plans to revive workplace immigration raids, positioning the effort as a tool to combat labor and sex trafficking, sparking immediate concern from immigration advocates, The Hill reported.
In an interview on "Fox & Friends" Monday, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Homan, now designated as the Trump administration's "border czar," revealed plans to conduct workplace immigration raids as part of a broader crackdown.
Homan stated that such raids would target locations where labor and sex trafficking victims are often found, underscoring the administration's aim to address trafficking issues through immigration enforcement.
"Where do we find most victims of sex trafficking and forced labor trafficking? At worksites," Homan told host Steve Doocy, defending the administration's planned approach. Homan's strategy aligns with his previous stance on strict immigration policies, including his support for the controversial "zero tolerance" policy that separated thousands of migrant children from their families during the first Trump administration.
The Trump administration's revived focus on workplace raids is already stirring opposition among advocates who argue that targeting worksites could exacerbate vulnerabilities rather than reduce trafficking. Heidi Altman, director of federal advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center, voiced concerns, "He's conflating the traffickers with the people being trafficked."
Altman criticized Homan's methods, stating that he uses "public safety rhetoric to justify vicious tactics that tear families apart."
According to Homan, his role as border czar will prioritize deporting individuals who pose "public safety threats and national security threats." However, Homan also suggested that immigrants with final orders of deportation would face heightened enforcement, regardless of their criminal records.
In his remarks, he referred to foreign nationals with outstanding deportation orders as "fugitives," hinting at a renewed focus on enforcing these orders.
Homan also alleged that the Biden administration has "lost over 300,000 children that were smuggled in this country by criminal cartels."
This claim echoes a contentious assertion made during the campaign by both Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, referencing a report from the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG).
The August report noted that, as of May 2024, 291,000 unaccompanied children had yet to receive a notice to appear in court, while another 32,000 received a notice but did not show up.
Critics say these figures are misleadingly framed to suggest negligence.
Jonathan Beier, associate director of research and evaluation for the Acacia Center for Justice's Unaccompanied Children Program, previously clarified the issue, telling The Associated Press, "This is not a 'missing kids' problem; it's a 'missing paperwork' problem."
Beier pointed out that the children in question include those released to the Department of Health and Human Services between October 2018 and September 2023, encompassing part of the first Trump administration.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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