Tom Homan said Thursday that the Trump Administration is not considering amnesty for illegal immigrants, including recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Speaking during a press conference shared online, Homan reiterated the administration’s hardline immigration stance while responding to questions about the future of DACA recipients.
“If you’re in the country illegally, you got a problem,” Homan said.
He also denied speculation that internal discussions about immigration reform included pathways to legal status for those in the country illegally.
“President Trump said amnesty is off the table,” Homan stated. “I support that. I don’t think amnesty should be on the table.”
Deportation Efforts Continue
Homan emphasized that the administration remains committed to large-scale deportation efforts, despite immigration enforcement receiving less media attention in recent months.
In an interview with CBS News earlier this week, Homan said deportation operations were still ongoing and suggested a temporary slowdown was linked to operational disruptions caused by a federal government shutdown.
“The numbers have dipped slightly,” he said, adding that the administration’s broader enforcement strategy remained unchanged.
Focus on Criminal Offenders
According to Homan, the administration continues prioritizing the arrest and deportation of illegal immigrants accused or convicted of additional crimes, though immigration violators that have not committed other crimes remain eligible for removal.
Speaking to Fox News, Homan said approximately 60 percent of recent immigration arrests involved criminal offenders, while 40 percent involved individuals without criminal records.
“I like that calculation,” he said, arguing the administration is sending a message that illegal entry into the United States carries consequences.
Minnesota Operations and Sanctuary Cities
Homan also discussed immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota, where he said federal authorities adjusted tactics after initially facing operational difficulties.
He noted that cooperation from county jails improved after meetings with local officials, allowing federal agents to take custody of individuals directly from detention facilities rather than conducting more dangerous street operations.
Homan additionally criticized sanctuary city policies, calling them “dangerous” and arguing they make immigration enforcement more difficult and higher risk for officers and the public.
He said the administration plans to deploy additional immigration agents to New York City as part of broader enforcement efforts.
Ongoing Immigration Debate
The comments come after reports of White House officials directing other Republicans away from “mass deportation” language ahead of midterms, raising questions about what’s to be expected in the months to come.
Supporters of mass deportations argue that stricter enforcement is necessary to maintain border security, restore quality of life for Americans, lower costs and return to a culturally cohesive society.
The future of DACA recipients remains uncertain, as legal and political battles over the program continue in federal courts and Congress.
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