Trump’s border czar says any illegal immigrant can be deported: ‘We’ll eventually get to you’

Criminals will be the first targets for President Trump’s “mass” deportations, but Homeland Security will eventually get to rank-and-file illegal immigrants, according to incoming border czar Tom Homan.

In a lengthy appearance with the Immigration Reform Law Institute, where he worked as a senior fellow, he said illegal immigrants would be better off if they leave on their own. But if they don’t, they are all targets for deportation, even if they’re not the top priority.

“If you’re in the country illegally, you need to be looking over your shoulder because you’re not supposed to be here, and we’ll eventually get to you,” he said.

That marks a major shift from the current administration, where serious felons were declared a priority but deportation officers were explicitly told not to deport someone merely for being in the country illegally.

Mr. Homan renewed his invitation to sanctuary jurisdictions to start cooperating with federal deportation authorities, and he said those who actively attempt to interfere will find themselves facing prosecution.

And he said Pam Bondi, Mr. Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, is predisposed to prosecuting those cases.

“I don’t want to go there, but if we have to go there, then we’re going to go there,” he said.

The deportations are one of the most visible promises Mr. Trump has made for his second term. It comes after the largest wave of illegal immigration in the country’s history under President Biden.

Mr. Biden invited the surge after he erased Trump policies that, by the end of his term, had cut illegal border crossings to their lowest levels in four decades. Mr. Homan said Mr. Trump will cut crossings even lower.

“We’re going to break a whole new record on that,” he said.

As for those who already came, Mr. Homan said they will get due process with an immigration court date.

But he suggested leaving on their own would be better. Those who stay and have to be arrested and formally deported will face bars on returning to the U.S., which could be an even bigger hardship for them and their families.

He also said the new administration will pay particular attention to illegal immigrant children whom the government has lost track of after placing the kids with sponsors.

“Every child we find and rescue is a success,” he said.