He was one of the very first appointed by Donald Trump in his new presidential team. And the reason is intuitive. Today, Tom Homan is the head of the border (the “tsar”, as they say in overseas jargon). It is the man, that is, to whom perhaps the most delicate delegation of the current American administration has been entrusted: that to the expulsions and the control of borders. A theme, this, which notoriously represented one of the founding pillars of Trump’s election campaign last year. Homan is not exactly one who sends them to say. It has physique du role of the inflexible sheriff. But, who says someone, it’s not a fanatic. It is a pragmatic, who knows the trade. Indeed, in a certain sense, we could call it almost a technician.
Despite a certain vulgar tends to present him as an extremist blinded by hatred for immigrants, Homan began his career at the time of Ronald Reagan. And, think a little, Barack Obama entrusted him with the management of repatriation during his second term. Not only that. He was so happy that, in 2015, he even gave him the Presidential Rank Award. Then, Trump, in 2017, put him in charge of the Immigration and Customs enforcement (Ice): assignment that he maintained for about a year, becoming the architect of the migratory narrow carried forward by the tycoon during his first administration. Since then, even to say it, the Democrats have begun to detest it. He later became visiting Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, until Trump, won the elections last November, recalled him in service, making him the decisive figure in the policy of contrasting illegal immigration.
Well, The truth She managed to have an exclusive telephone interview with Homan. The goal is to hear directly from him what are his ideas and his strategies on migratory management, beyond the speckling demonizations that certain progressive (also Italian) press has tried to propose us in recent weeks.
Tom Homan, what are the main objectives that have been entrusted to you as head of the border?
“I have three goals. The first is to secure the border and block illegal entrances in the country. My second goal is to direct the repatriation operations for illegal immigrants who are currently found in the United States in violation of the law. My third goal is to find missing children, who are transported to the country through illegal trafficking implemented by criminal organizations. We have to find them. Many are subjected to forced work, many are the subject of sexual trafficking. So we have to find and save these children “.
The Trump administration has already started the procedures for mass repatriation. How do you implement them? In addition, the president recently announced that he wanted to send the most dangerous illegal immigrants to Guantanamo.
“We lead the expulsion operations especially with immigration customer enforcement, which acts together with other agencies, such as the goddess, the FBI, the US Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. These agencies coordinate with the ICE in looking for those people who are illegally in the country: people who first repress and then expel. As for Guantanamo, we have already had an immigration center for decades. We will simply expand it to make it bigger. “
What measures do you intend to adopt to close the border and restore deterrence towards irregular immigrants?
“We will adopt the policies that Donald Trump has used in the past, at the time of his first presidential mandate. I will restore the Remain in Mexico Policy: so, those who want to request asylum will have to wait in Mexico instead of being left free in US territory. It will wait in Mexico, while the hearing takes place which will have to decide whether or not to the kindergarten or not. “
Continue as well.
“Another measure that we will adopt will be to continue building the wall on the border with Mexico. We will also repeal the policy of the Catch and Release: whoever is taken, will not be left free in the United States waiting for the hearing. “
Giorgia Meloni’s Italian government is sending irregular immigrants to Albania, as a third country, to increase deterrence. Do you have any suggestions to give to our executive for the fight against illegal immigration?
“I think President Trump is a model for borders safety. I think people should look at the policies he has implemented. It is a great guide for success. I would therefore suggest looking at the leadership of President Trump regarding the safety of the borders “.
The Pope recently criticized your migratory policies, calling it a “misfortune”. What do you feel you answer?
“We will manage illegal immigration in the United States. He can deal with managing the Catholic Church “.
(Interview released on La Verità on February 1, 2024)