As President-elect Trump builds his cabinet for a second time, he is bringing back some of his most notable allies from his first administration. Among these is Tom Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who Trump has now appointed as his new "borders czar." Known for his conservative stance on immigration, Homan is expected to push hardline policies that Trump promised on the campaign trail, such as increasing deportations and tightening border security. Here’s a quick look at Homan’s track record, the role he’s set to play under Trump and the power he may or may not have in this new administration.

incoming Trump "border czar" Tom Homan on Fox Business says he expects the military to be involved in his mass deportation pic.twitter.com/wAUEe9PudW

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 12, 2024

Who is Tom Homan?

His ICE legacy began with Obama. Homan served as the Executive Associate Director of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations under President Obama before becoming ICE's acting director under President Trump. During his time under Obama, Homan oversaw record-breaking deportations of over 920,000 total people, earning Obama the title "Deporter-in-Chief" among some critics. Homan then continued his role into the Trump administration, serving as the acting ICE director from January 2017 to June 2018, where he enacted the controversial family separation policy. Homan later got the Distinguished Service Medal from Trump before his retirement, and then also became a Fox News contributor.

What does a 'Borders Czar' actually do?

According to Politico, while the title sounds influential, the role is primarily advisory. Homan would offer guidance on immigration enforcement, but would not hold statutory authority to implement policies directly. His influence would largely depend on his relationship with DHS officials, congressional majority and Trump’s support.

What is Homan's current stance on immigration?

Known for his blunt approach, Homan recently told undocumented immigrants to "start packing now" in anticipation of Trump returning to the White House. His speech during July's Republican National Convention highlighted his support for large-scale deportations and his commitment to enforcing strict immigration laws. Under Trump, Homan’s ICE enforced policies that led to thousands of family separations at the border. In a recent "60 Minutes" interview, Homan defended the family separation policy, stating that families could be deported together, a stance that sparked headlines.

Will Homan have unchecked power?

Homan’s proposed large-scale deportations and increased border security efforts still face significant hurdles. These include obtaining funding approved by Congress, overcoming resistance within federal agencies, handling potential legal challenges (like delays) and opposition from local governments and advocacy groups concerned with human rights, the Washington Examiner reported.