Border czar Tom Homan sparred with CBS News host Margaret Brennan on Sunday over immigration enforcement tactics, arguing that criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has encouraged people to resist federal agents during operations.
The exchange on Face the Nation came days after the Trump administration resumed ICE traffic stops following a brief pause ordered after two fatal officer-involved shootings of illegal immigrants.
Homan Declines to Discuss Ongoing Investigations
Brennan questioned Homan about the recent incidents, which prompted Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to temporarily suspend vehicle stops while the agency reviewed its procedures.
Homan declined to weigh in on either case, saying it would be inappropriate to comment before the investigations are complete.
“I don’t want to get ahead of investigations on who’s at fault, what exactly happened,” Homan said.
He noted that investigators will review body camera footage, cellphone video, surveillance cameras and witness statements before determining what occurred.
“We’ve got to let the investigations play out,” he said.
“They Embolden People”
While avoiding discussion of the individual shootings, Homan argued that increasingly hostile rhetoric directed at ICE has made enforcement more dangerous.
“My concern is…I’ve done this since 1984,” Homan said. “My concern is I think a lot of the rhetoric that you see every day—especially in sanctuary cities and at these protests that resist, members of Congress saying ICE isn’t a real law enforcement agency—I actually think that emboldens some people to say, ‘I’m not going to comply with ICE.'”
He explained that such messaging contributes to suspects resisting arrest or attempting to flee during immigration enforcement actions.
Debate Over Unmarked Vehicles
The interview turned contentious when Brennan questioned ICE’s use of unmarked vehicles during traffic stops.
She argued that motorists may not realize they are being stopped by law enforcement if the vehicles lack traditional police markings.
Homan responded that while ICE often uses unmarked vehicles, agents activate emergency lights and identify themselves before approaching motorists.
“They have emergency lights. Officers have insignia, so when they get out of that car and approach the car, you can clearly see the law enforcement officers,” he said.
Homan also pointed out that many local police agencies employ similar tactics.
“I’m in New York City right now,” he said. “A lot of NYPD officers are driving unmarked vehicles, and that helps them find people that don’t want to be found.”
The New York Police Department regularly uses unmarked and leased vehicles for certain investigative and enforcement operations.
Push for Body Cameras
Homan also defended the administration’s ongoing rollout of body cameras for ICE officers, arguing the devices will help provide a more complete picture of officer-involved incidents.
“You can have a cell phone camera from a witness on the side. You can have city cameras or whatever, but I want the American people to see what that officer sees when he makes the decision and takes the action,” Homan said.
“I think the American people need to see what that officer sees and hears.”
The comments come after White House officials acknowledged that more than half of ICE field offices are now equipped with body cameras, with the remaining offices expected to receive them in the coming weeks.
Traffic Stops Resume Under New Rules
The interview followed President Donald Trump’s decision to reverse the temporary suspension on ICE traffic stops after publicly criticizing the pause.
Although vehicle stops have resumed, the administration has imposed new operational requirements, including the presence of at least one officer wearing a body camera, a team member with specialized prosecutions training and an operational justification for each stop. In other words, body camera distribution is complete, the stops are effectively still banned.
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