White House border czar Tom Homan became emotional during a recent interview while discussing the growing dangers facing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, saying the threats against officers have become deeply personal as violence and harassment continue to escalate.
Speaking about the men and women carrying out immigration enforcement operations, Homan stressed that ICE agents are ordinary Americans with families waiting for them at home. He said the public often overlooks the human cost of the job, particularly as officers increasingly face threats both on and off duty.
“You know, guys, ICE agents are mom and dads, too,” Homan said. “They don’t hang their heart on a hook every day to do this job. And it’s just not attacking the ICE agents, it’s attacking their spouses and children, and no one knows that better than me.”
Homan then revealed that the threats against him have become so severe that he cannot even complete routine errands without security protection.
“I can’t even go get a quart of milk at a grocery store without a security detail,” he said. “Why? Because I’m enforcing laws in this country. It’s pathetic and it’s disgusting.”
WATCH:
The comments come as immigration enforcement has become one of the most contentious issues in the country, with ICE officers reporting increased harassment, threats, and confrontations during enforcement operations. Administration officials have argued that inflammatory rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement has created a more dangerous environment for federal officers carrying out their duties.
Homan has repeatedly maintained that the safety of ICE personnel is his top priority, even as the Trump administration continues its aggressive immigration enforcement agenda. He has said leadership constantly evaluates tactics to reduce risks to officers while ensuring that immigration laws continue to be enforced.
Those concerns intensified after two recent fatal officer-involved shootings in Maine and Texas prompted ICE to temporarily pause most vehicle stops while agency leaders reviewed training procedures and operational tactics. The temporary suspension was designed to evaluate whether additional safeguards could better protect officers conducting field operations.
As part of those safety efforts, the Trump administration announced that body cameras will be issued to all ICE field offices nationwide. Homan said the expansion is intended to improve transparency while also providing an additional layer of protection for officers during encounters with the public.
The pause in vehicle stops, however, proved to be short-lived. President Donald Trump later directed ICE to resume the practice, describing traffic stops as an important law enforcement tool in locating and apprehending individuals who are in the country illegally or are wanted for other immigration violations.
Homan has defended that decision while emphasizing that officer safety remains central to every enforcement operation. He has also pointed to incidents of doxxing, online harassment, and threats directed not only at agents but also at their family members as evidence of the challenges facing the agency.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
