By Tasnim News (World News) | Created at 2024-12-12 09:22:36 | Updated at 2024-12-12 11:57:33
2 hours ago
Tom Homan, 63, the former acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term, outlined the deportation strategy at a Republican event in Chicago.
"Chicago is in trouble because your mayor sucks and your governor sucks," Homan said, referring to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
He criticized both leaders as “terrible” and urged them to engage in discussions, citing New York City Mayor Eric Adams as an example.
Homan directly warned Mayor Johnson against obstructing the deportation effort.
"If he doesn't want to help, get the hell out of the way," Homan stated.
"If he knowingly harbors or conceals an illegal alien — I will prosecute him."
Homan detailed the deportation plan, explaining that migrants with criminal records will be prioritized, followed by legal migrants such as asylum seekers and those admitted under the Biden administration’s humanitarian parole.
He emphasized that asylum seekers’ statuses would be reviewed and anyone harboring criminal migrants would face arrest.
While Homan reiterated there is “no plan” to separate families, he acknowledged it could occur.
"My goal is to enforce the law, but if you put yourself in that position, it may happen," he said.
Parents of Dreamers—children born in the US to migrant parents—were given two options.
"You can either take a child home with you, or they just stay here," Homan stated. "But you don't get a pass."
Homan rejected claims that Trump’s deportation agenda is racist, describing it as a “very targeted operation.”
"We know exactly who we're going to arrest," Homan explained.
"We know most likely where we're going to find them. We know a lot about them because of investigative case files."
In response, Mayor Johnson defended Chicago’s sanctuary status and vowed not to allow local police to assist ICE agents.
"Our values will remain strong and firm," Johnson declared.
"We will not be stopped, and we will not go back."
Governor JB Pritzker echoed Johnson’s stance but later adopted a measured tone.
"It’s no secret that Illinois will face countless, baseless attacks over the next four years from the Trump administration," Pritzker’s spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) took a more confrontational approach.
"Tom Homan, the next time you come to #IL03 — a district made stronger and more powerful by immigrants — you better be ready to meet the resistance," she posted on social media.
Chicago has seen over 50,000 migrants arrive since August 2022, intensifying the political divide over immigration policies.
