Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s border czar, is intensifying operations in sanctuary cities across America with a stark warning to uncooperative officials: “We’re comin’ for ’em.”
Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration has expanded deportation efforts in sanctuary cities, with ICE arresting 956 people in a single day and 7,300 illegal immigrants in the first week of Trump’s second term.
- Tom Homan plans to triple the ICE workforce in sanctuary cities to counter non-cooperation from local authorities, particularly focusing on violent gang members like the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua.
- Major operations are being conducted in cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other sanctuary jurisdictions, with three cities targeted weekly.
- Federal immigration law requires cooperation with ICE, with Homan warning that impeding federal law enforcement is a crime with potential penalties including withholding federal funds.
- Over 660,000 criminal foreign nationals have been identified for deportation, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem personally joining operations in New York City.
Sanctuary Cities Face Intensified ICE Operations
The Trump administration has launched a comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy targeting sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Led by Border Czar Tom Homan, these operations have already resulted in the arrest of 7,300 illegal immigrants during the first week of President Trump’s second term. The administration is focusing particularly on jurisdictions with “sanctuary” policies that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, creating what Homan describes as significant operational challenges.
“Sanctuary cities are difficult to operate in. We’d much rather arrest — one agent can arrest one bad guy in jail in 10 minutes. But when they release them back into the community, we’ve got to send a whole team to find him, and some of them don’t want to be found,” said Tom Homan, Border Czar.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has taken a direct role in these enforcement actions, personally joining ICE agents during raids in New York City. The Trump administration has implemented a strategic approach targeting three U.S. cities weekly, with operations already conducted in Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and several other major metropolitan areas. These raids involve multiple federal agencies working in coordination, including ICE, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, DEA, and FBI.
Gang Violence Triggers Enhanced Enforcement
The administration’s intensified focus on sanctuary cities comes in direct response to escalating gang violence, particularly from the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. The threat became impossible to ignore after gang members attacked NYPD officers in Times Square, highlighting the dangers of sanctuary policies that shield violent criminals from deportation. Law enforcement in Denver recently arrested 50 members of this same gang, while the gang’s leader was apprehended in New York, demonstrating the nationwide scope of this criminal organization.
“We’re gonna flood the zone with officers,” said Tom Homan, Border Czar.
Homan has highlighted previous successful collaboration between federal and local authorities, pointing to a RICO investigation that resulted in the indictment of 27 gang members. These past successes stand in stark contrast to the current resistance from officials in sanctuary jurisdictions. The administration plans to triple its workforce in these non-cooperative cities, expanding enforcement beyond jails to communities and worksites where illegal immigrants with criminal records may be hiding.
Political Opposition and Legal Consequences
Despite the clear public safety benefits, the administration faces significant political resistance from local officials in sanctuary jurisdictions. In New York City, a political divide has emerged, with Mayor Eric Adams expressing willingness to cooperate with ICE by issuing Executive Order 50, which invited federal agents to operate from Rikers Island jail. However, the City Council has filed a lawsuit against this executive order, while NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has publicly stated the department’s non-cooperation policy.
“The NYPD does not engage in civil immigration issues—period,” said Jessica Tisch, NYPD Commissioner.
Homan has issued a clear warning to officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement, emphasizing that impeding federal law enforcement officers constitutes a crime. The administration is considering significant consequences for non-cooperative jurisdictions, including withholding federal funds from local governments and law enforcement agencies. With over 660,000 criminal foreign nationals already identified for deportation nationwide, the administration’s message is clear: sanctuary policies that protect violent offenders will not be tolerated.
“Impeding a federal law enforcement officer is a crime,” said Tom Homan, Border Czar.
Focus on Public Safety, Not Politics
The Trump administration has repeatedly emphasized that these operations prioritize public safety over politics, focusing initially on violent offenders and national security threats. Homan has expressed willingness to work with both Democrats and Republicans to ensure community safety, framing the issue as one of basic responsibility rather than partisan politics. The operations have already shown early signs of success, with reports indicating a decrease in illegal crossings at the southern border following the implementation of these policies.
“What mayor or governor doesn’t want public safety threats out of their communities? That’s their number one responsibility is to protect their communities. That’s exactly what we are going to do,” said Tom Homan, Border Czar.
With the administration’s clear commitment to enforcing immigration laws regardless of local resistance, sanctuary cities now face a choice: cooperate with federal authorities to target violent criminals or face increased ICE presence and potential legal consequences. Homan’s approach represents a return to the enforcement-focused immigration policies that characterized President Trump’s first term, with an even stronger emphasis on sanctuary jurisdictions where violent criminal aliens have been allowed to operate with relative impunity.
