White House border czar Tom Homan acknowledged that deportations have slowed but emphasized plans to increase removals. 800,000 illegal immigrants have been removed under the Trump administration, with 60% identified as criminals, Homan told the Washington Examiner. The slowdown comes amid legal battles, sanctuary city resistance, and leadership changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS disputes claims of slowing enforcement, stating it has removed over 3 million illegal immigrants since the start of the second Trump term. The agency insists ICE is not slowing down, with nearly 70% of arrests involving individuals charged or convicted of crimes. Homan stressed prioritizing public safety threats but denied narrowing the deportation agenda.
Criticism from both sides: Democrats and some Republicans have criticized ICE for arresting noncriminal immigrants, while Trump supporters demand broader enforcement. Homan acknowledged frustration but defended the focus on criminal immigrants while pursuing a wider range of arrests.
Context: The slowdown follows 10.9 million nationwide encounters by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from fiscal years 2021 through 2024, with 8.7 million at the southwest border. Homan’s remarks come as immigration hardliners express frustration over perceived inaction.