Tom Homan, known as the U.S. 'border czar', has articulated a firm stance on the use of military force in the face of threats from Mexican cartels. During an interview, Homan emphasized that the administration under President Donald Trump is unafraid to deploy military personnel should these cartels pose a threat to U.S. troops stationed at the southern border.
Homan explained, I think the cartels would be foolish to take on the military. They've faced the Mexican military before, but now they confront the United States military. The context of these remarks highlights the administration’s readiness to maintain an uncompromising stance on border security, which Homan believes is essential as cartels continue to amass huge profits through illicit activities.
With the ongoing efforts to secure the border, Homan noted, We’re taking money out of their pockets, indicating the broader strategy to disrupt cartel operations financially.
Following a national emergency declaration on his first day in office, President Trump authorized the deployment of the U.S. military to support border enforcement efforts. Furthermore, he issued an executive order categorizing drug cartels and similar groups as global terrorist organizations, underscoring the severity with which the administration views these threats.
Efforts to combat criminal activities include raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), focusing on the deportation of undocumented migrants, particularly those with criminal backgrounds. A significant statistic revealed by Homan noted that approximately 76% of the 14,000 migrants arrested in recent operations have criminal records. These aggressive enforcement measures are a hallmark of Trump's administration's hard-line approach to immigration.
Homan further clarified, Where do the collateral arrests happen? When we're looking for the bad guy, we often encounter and detain others with them. This operational detail underscores the comprehensive nature of the current enforcement strategy.
Despite these efforts, Homan asserted there is no specific target or quota for daily arrests involving undocumented migrants. I want to arrest as many as we can, but if you're in the country illegally, you're not off the table, he said, while also noting that enforcement priorities remain on individuals posing significant threats.
This story continues to develop, with expectations of updates as the situation unfolds. The administration remains committed to a rigorous border security framework, balancing enforcement with diplomatic caution.