Homan’s record and rhetoric has been disgusting and disgraceful
ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan announced yesterday that he will be stepping down in June. Homan has played a key role in turbocharging the Trump Administration’s cruelty towards immigrants.
According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice,
“We’re glad to see Homan go. He has been Trump’s unleashed pitbull. He has targeted hard-working immigrants and their families in order to terrorize millions. He added insult to injury with statements meant to dehumanize and denigrate immigrants in a nation that once welcomed them. He will go down in history as the Bull Connor of federal immigration enforcement.”
Recently, America’s Voice compiled a litany of Thomas Homan’s disturbing record and rhetoric. See below for key excerpts and check out the full version online here
Thomas Homan actions at ICE
In Homan’s time as acting ICE director, Homan and his agency have:
Increased immigration arrests nearly 40 percent in 2017 over the same time period from 2016
Increased non-criminal immigration arrests 171 percent in 2017, compared to 2016, reflecting a shift away from prioritizing immigrants who had committed major crimes.
Changed its policy to no longer automatically release pregnant women in immigration detention custody, despite a record of denying medical care and losing pregnancies. The move follows government efforts to keep unaccompanied minor immigrants in detention rather than releasing them to obtain abortions.
Specifically targeted safe cities in retaliation for their pro-immigrant policies and reportedly increased the number of immigration officers deployed in California after it passed safe city legislation.
Targeted immigration activists and political opponents for detention and deportation. A pending lawsuit claims ICE targeted outspoken immigration activists “in order to silence them.”
Conducted “silent raids” across America, turning routine immigration check-insinto deportation arrests. Critics charge ICE is targeting “low-hanging fruit” to “rack up numbers.”
Formalized a “significant escalation” in courthouse arrests, despite judges and local leaders requesting otherwise. Two lawsuits are claiming constitutional violations, with advocates sayingenforcement at courthouses silences victims, rewards criminals, and harms public safety. In El Paso, ICE detained an undocumented domestic violence victim who came to the local courthouseto file a protective order, which stoked fear in three additional victims.
Contrary to the ICE Sensitive Locations policy, conducted enforcement actions outside of schools, at places of worship, soccer fields, and hospitals.
Things Thomas Homan has said
Called for a “400 percent increase” in workplace immigration raids in California. Homan made it clear that he does not believe in protections for anyone who is undocumented in the United States, regardless of record, equities, or circumstance.
Said “ICE will no longer exempt any class removal” for deportation.
“No population is off the table,” Homan said at a December 2017 news conference. He testified to the House Appropriations Committee that people who were not a priority in past administrations are “priorities” now. Afterwards, Homan doubled down on his statements saying, “I have no regrets. It needed to be said … If you choose to enter this country illegally, which is a crime, you should be concerned.”
Said he will “never back down” from telling all undocumented immigrants they should be worried about getting arrested and deported under the Trump Administration.
“We shouldn’t wait for [immigrants] to become a criminal,” Homan testified to the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, emphasizing his determination to criminalize all immigrants.
Homan said non-criminal arrests help maintain the integrity of the immigration system. “If you’re in this country illegally, and you committed a crime by entering this country, you should be uncomfortable. You should look over your shoulder and you need to be worried,” he told lawmakers.
Homan was unapologetic about arresting a high school senior hours before his prom. “We’re a law enforcement agency that enforces the law and we shouldn’t play favorites.”
Ignored the Constitution by calling for the arrest of lawmakers. As Homan told Fox News, “we’ve got to start charging some of these politicians with crimes.” He added that “California better hold on tight,” referencing the recently-implemented California Values Act, which limits local law enforcement cooperation with ICE officials.
“We’re going from zero to 100 under a new administration,” Homan told a House committee. Dispelling the previous notion of people who had a “U.S. citizen kid” thinking no one is looking for them, he said, “those days are over.”
