WASHINGTON—Today, The Heritage Foundation congratulated Heritage Visiting Fellow Tom Homan on his appointment as 'Border Czar' in President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration. Homan arrived at Heritage in 2022 after serving as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under President Trump from January 2017 to June 2018. Homan has a 35-year career in law enforcement at the state and federal level. He was a police officer in West Carthage, New York, and worked his way up the immigration enforcement ladder, starting in the Border Patrol. He eventually became director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) before leading ICE. 

Heritage President Dr. Kevin Roberts said:  

“Tom Homan is precisely the leader America needs to tackle the crisis at our border and restore order. There’s no one better to restore the rule of law within our broken immigration system and ensure that those who have entered our country illegally will be returned home. With decades of dedicated service under both Republican and Democratic administrations, he brings unmatched experience and a steadfast commitment to securing our nation. He knows what it takes to swiftly end Biden’s border invasion. 

“At Heritage, we are proud to count Tom as one of our own and deeply value his contributions to the conservative movement. We stand with him and look forward to working side by side to secure the safety and sovereignty of our borders.” 

Heritage Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center and former acting deputy chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Lora Ries added: 

“I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Tom during the first Trump administration and the past couple of years here at Heritage. He will quickly bring law and order back to our great nation.  

“The current administration has facilitated the entry of 11-plus million inadmissible aliens—including thousands of national security threats, violent criminals, and drug dealers—as well as the worst human trafficking operation in this country’s history.  

“Tom is the leader America needs to reverse this chaos.”