The United States’ so-called “third border” is in the spotlight on Thursday, March 20, 2025, as two top officials from the Trump administration head to Florida to discuss immigration mitigation efforts. Revved-up border security and increased deportations have been a hallmark of President Donald Trump’s governance, with border czar Tom Homan and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem leading these efforts. The discussions focus on the federal government’s collaboration with state and local law enforcement to enforce Trump’s immigration policies.
Tom Homan, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf participated in a roundtable at the New College of Florida in Sarasota. This event centered on Trump’s mass deportation strategy and the role of state-level involvement in these efforts, an initiative that DeSantis has publicly endorsed. Homan called for mass deportations, asserting that most asylum seekers do not qualify for permanent residence. “We need to send a message to the whole world, there’s a right way and a wrong way to come to this country … If you want to be part of the greatest nation on earth, breaking our laws shouldn’t be the first thing you do,” he stated.
DeSantis echoed Homan's sentiments, urging Congress to codify some of Trump’s border policies. “We’ve got to get this into law, and I think Congress really needs to be way, way more aggressive than what they’ve been so far,” he emphasized. Earlier this year, in late February 2025, DeSantis intensified the penalties for crimes committed by immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally as part of his plan to deter migration.
At the same roundtable, Homan labeled birthright citizenship a “magnet” that encourages illegal immigration, a notion DeSantis also supported. Regarding whether the policy that grants citizenship to those born on U.S. soil should continue, Homan suggested that it was a matter for the Supreme Court to decide. “I think the Supreme Court finally needs to answer that question. I’m not a lawyer, but I can read,” Homan said, emphasizing that the legality surrounding the citizenship of children born to illegal immigrants is not straightforward.
Homan reaffirmed his view on the importance of deporting alleged gang members, particularly under the Alien Enemies Act. Despite a temporary block from a judge against deportation flights, he reiterated the administration’s commitment to this initiative. “Bottom line is, we’re not going to stop doing what we’re doing. We’re going to arrest aliens today, we’re going to arrest TdA today,” he declared, underscoring the urgency of their enforcement approach.
In a related event, Kristi Noem participated in an operation in South Florida where the Coast Guard offloaded over 45,000 pounds of drugs. This event, which took place at 10:30 a.m. ET on the same day, highlighted the maritime agency's crackdown on smuggling in the region. “Today is a historic day,” Noem said, remarking on the Coast Guard’s efforts to tackle drug traffic. Since President Trump declared a national emergency in January 2025, the Coast Guard has tripled its operations along the southern border. “We are cleaning up our communities from drugs like fentanyl and cocaine and marijuana,” Noem stated confidently.
Also, Kristi Noem, in her continued outreach, showcased her activities on social media, including flying a Lockheed C-130 surveillance plane. On Monday, March 17, 2025, she flew out from the Coast Guard base in Kodiak, Alaska, and shared her experiences with followers, detailing her involvement in a counter-terrorism exercise. Criticism of her social media posts were evident, with some users questioning the appropriateness of her focus on public relations over substantive policy engagement. “Could we please stop with the PR campaign and 'focus' solely on the job at hand?” one user remarked.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin reiterated the administration's standpoint on illegal immigration. “President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now. If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream,” she stated. McLaughlin assured the public that the Trump administration would enforce all immigration laws diligently, without ambivalence.
Noem has proudly shared statistics, noting that February 2025 recorded the lowest number of encounters at the border in history. “The world is hearing our message: do not come to our country illegally,” she emphasized. “If you do, we will find you, arrest you, and send you back.” The confidence presented by both Homan and Noem reflects a commitment to stringent immigration enforcement as part of Trump’s broader agenda. Their appearances and communications signal a revitalized focus on immigration as a hot-button issue ahead of potential political consequences and the 2026 election cycle.
This heightened focus on immigration has stirred significant discussion among various political sectors, with supporters applauding the stricter measures as crucial for national security, while critics argue these initiatives may undermine human rights and the legal immigration process.
The continued dialogue around these policies illustrates a polarized environment where the immigration debate remains central to American political discourse. Homan's and Noem's actions, reflecting a stringent law enforcement philosophy, seem set to stay in the spotlight as they endeavor to balance national security with the realities of immigration law.
