Border Czar Tom Homan: If Chicago’s Mayor “harbors and conceals an illegal alien from ICE, that’s a violation of law”
During a recent interview on Fox News, Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and President-elect Donald Trump’s newly appointed “border czar,” revealed plans to launch mass deportation efforts, starting with Chicago. Homan criticized the city’s leadership and sanctuary policies, claiming they contribute to rising crime and lawlessness.
Both Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor J.B. Pritzker were quick to respond, reaffirming their commitment to Chicago’s sanctuary city status, which limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Governor Pritzker went further, calling Homan’s proposed actions illegal and vowing to take legal measures to protect the state’s immigrant population. WGN-TV
As Homan’s comments continue to fuel debate, the clash between federal immigration authorities and local leadership raises critical questions about enforcement, legal battles, and the fate of Chicago’s immigrant communities.
Here’s a closer look at Homan’s statements, the local response, and what could come next.
Border Czar Tom Homan:
The Chicago mayor doesn’t want to help, he can step aside, but if he impedes us, if he no longer harbors or conceals an illegal alien, I will prosecute him.
Mayor Brandon Johnson (sound bite, separate from the featured interview):
As far as his parameters, I mean, those are elements that I don’t think are fully defined.
I don’t know if this is an actual, I don’t really know what this position ultimately is, local law enforcement cooperating with ICE is not just simply about not cooperating, it’s requiring local law enforcement to behave as federal agents.
Fox News Reporter:
Incoming Trump borders czar, Tom Homan joins me now.
Tom, good to have you with us, welcome.
How do you interpret what the mayor of Chicago said in that soundbite just now?
Border Czar Tom Homan:
Well, first of all, I’m a senior advisor to the incoming president of the United States.
I provide expert analysis and recommendations on how to secure the border, public enforcing immigration law, and the president will make that directly down to the agency heads.
What’s my authority?
Look, I’m not a prosecutor. I won’t be prosecuting the case, it’s probably a bad choice of words.
A U.S. attorney will prosecute the case.
ICE will file the charges, and what the mayor’s not speaking about is the two things I said.
He can step aside and not help the men and women of ICE, but if he knowingly impedes us, that’s a violation of federal law.
If he knowlingly harbors and conceals an illegal alien from ICE, that’s a violation of law.
And we got a strong AG (Attorney General) coming in, Pam Binding, and we’re not going to allow that to happen.
He cannot assist us, fine, that’s his decision, but he’s not going to prevent us from enforcing laws enacted by Congress and signed by the president.
We’re going to do this job.
And as far as he was making…I don’t want him to be immigration officers.
I want them, when they arrest an illegal alien for a serious crime, I’m just asking to let us know when you release him so we can find him.
I don’t want you to hold him a minute more than you have to hold him under your charges, but just work with us and take these public safety threats not only off the streets, but out of the country.
Fox News Reporter:
Yeah. I mean, I think that the meeting with Mayor Adams was really interesting and I thought it was strong that he just emphasized the safety of the people of New York, and that is his priority.
You said that two other mayors have reached out to you for similar sit-downs.
Can you give us any insight?
I’m guessing it’s not Chicago.
Can you tell me that it is not Brandon Johnson?
Border Czar Tom Homan:
No, it’s not Brandon Johnson, but I hesitate to tell you who they are right now until I know they’re serious about sitting down, I’m not going to give them credit on national TV.
I want to have the meeting set and actually have that meeting happen.
But I think what Mayor Eric Adams did was outstanding.
I think hopefully it will start a domino effect where, you know, if Mayor Adams was clear, he’s concerned about public safety, too.
He promised me, the mayor of Chicago, that any elected official would not want to remove public safety threats out of this community.
This should be a nonpartisan issue.
His number one responsibility is to protect the residents of Chicago.
He’s clearly not listening to him because they’re arguing against him more than I am.
Fox News Reporter:
Yeah. I mean, we’ve heard from residents of Chicago who say that they want their rec centers back and they want their facilities back and they want safe cities.
Wrap up
Chicago immigrants should be aware that while the city remains committed to its sanctuary policies, reaffirmed by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor J.B. Pritzker, federal enforcement efforts may increase under incoming “border czar” Tom Homan’s plans for mass deportations.
Immigrants are encouraged to know their rights, including refusing entry without a warrant, remaining silent, and seeking legal representation. Local leaders have vowed to resist these actions, but individuals should stay informed and connected to trusted legal and community resources for support.
