Trump appoints former ICE director as "border czar"

US President-elect Donald Trump has selected former acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Thomas Homan, to serve as his "border czar" in the forthcoming administration.

Homan’s responsibilities will encompass overseeing both the US-Mexico and US-Canada borders, in addition to managing the nation’s coastlines and airspace, Caliber.Az reports via American media.

Homan, 62, was widely anticipated to be chosen for the role. Trump confirmed the appointment late on November 10 night via the Truth Social platform, stating, “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our borders.”

Trump reiterated his commitment to mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, a key aspect of his immigration agenda.

“Tom Homan will be in charge of all deportations of illegal aliens back to their country of origin,” Trump declared.

Homan previously served as acting director of ICE in 2017, appointed by Trump during his second week in office. While the Senate never acted on Trump’s nomination of Homan for the permanent role, Homan was integral to the administration’s contentious family separation policy.

Under this policy, children crossing the southern border without legal authorisation were separated from their parents in order to prosecute the adults involved. Often referred to as the “zero tolerance” policy, it was introduced in 2017, escalated in 2018, and eventually scaled back after widespread public backlash over its humanitarian impact.

Homan is expected to join the White House staff in his new position, which would not require Senate confirmation. As “border czar,” he would not have direct authority over federal agencies managing border control but would oversee their operations through those with Senate approval or temporary designations.

In 2018, Homan retired from ICE, but a year later, Trump surprised both Homan and the public by announcing he would return as the “border czar.” Homan, however, denied accepting the role, and he did not rejoin the administration. Despite this, he has continued to support Trump’s tough immigration policies through media appearances and public statements.

Meanwhile, US Congressman Byron Donalds has dismissed claims that President-elect Donald Trump has compiled a vengeance list, allegedly prepared for his return to the White House.

In an interview with Fox News, Donalds stated, "To the American people who have heard this lie from the left-wing Democrats, I tell you that this is not something Donald Trump has ever said or supports. There is no enemies list."

While acknowledging that some individuals oppose Trump, Donalds emphasised that the former president's focus remains on the American people, highlighting key priorities such as securing the southern border, deporting illegal immigrants, and improving the economy and energy sectors.

"His attention is on the American people, not on any enemies list," Donalds reiterated.

By Aghakazim Guliyev