The Trump administration is set to reverse long-standing policies concerning the detention of migrant families, according to Tom Homan, who is poised to take on the role of “border czar” under President-elect Donald Trump. Homan disclosed plans for reintroducing family detention centers during an interview with The Washington Post, emphasizing how this development significantly contradicts the approaches taken by the Biden administration, which ended such practices two years ago.
Homan's intention is to facilitate the construction of new detention facilities intended to hold entire families, particularly those who enter the country illegally. "We’re going to need to construct family facilities. How many beds we’re going to need will depend on what the data says," he stated, hinting at potential shifts to meet expected demands as the administration embarks on stricter immigration policies. His comments suggest preparations for significant infrastructure changes amid the climate of immigration reform.
Reflecting on the responsibilities of migrant parents, Homan remarked, "You knew you were in the country illegally and chose to have a child. So you put your family inthat position," positioning the focus of the policy on parental actions rather than systemic issues. Under this new regime, families would have to choose between deportation together or separation, particularly when U.S.-born children are involved. This means parents could face the heartbreaking choice of remaining with their children at the cost of being separated from them if they are deported.
The proposed family detention centers would likely adopt the use of soft-sided tents to house families, creating possible conditions akin to those reported during past administrations. Homan confirmed, "We’ll also need to track down over 300,000 children and teens whose caretakers stopped reporting to federal caseworkers." He shared severe concerns over this group of minors, indicating fears they may be at risk of exploitation, either through forced labor or worse. “I think some of these children will be in forced labor and some will be in the sex trade,” he stated, highlighting the urgent need to protect vulnerable populations amid these transitions.
This reintroduction of family detention marks a potential return to harsh practices reminiscent of Trump's earlier presidency, especially notable since Homan was the architect behind the controversial family separation policy during his tenure as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Trump's immigration policies stand set to face significant legal challenges, particularly those affecting U.S. citizen children, who may not be able to be deported alongside their undocumented parents. Despite these hurdles, Homan insisted on the importance of demonstrating to the American public the effectiveness and humanity of these proposed policies.
Even though the Biden administration's previous stance sought to balance immigration enforcement with humane treatment, Homan's philosophy navigates the delicate tightrope of encouraging strict enforcement without losing public trust. "We need to show the American people we can do this and not be inhumane about it. We can’t lose the faith of the American people," Homan affirmed, capturing the underlying tension of the impending immigration reforms.
Human rights advocates are already raising alarms about the reinstatement of family detention, issuing warnings about the hazards of crowding and welfare risks to children. Homan has indicated, though, his readiness to expand upon immigration enforcement mechanisms, potentially including worksite raids—previously halted under the Biden administration—and re-instituting the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy, which demands migrants to stay outside U.S. borders until their asylum hearings are resolved.
These policies, insistent on enforcing stricter immigration laws, resonate with Trump’s hardline approach to border security. Even as many argue these measures expose migrants to vulnerability and violate human rights, Homan remains steadfast, believing wide public support will guide the administration’s direction. The initial retraction of more lenient policies could signal significant changes, dramatically affecting the lives of immigrant families and shaping the future of the U.S. immigration system.
Though he noted caution over forecasting specific deportation targets—"I’ll be setting myself up for disappointment"—his role as border czar could prove pivotal. Alongside Kristi Noem, Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security, Homan's influence is likely to activate debates on immigration and justice, maximally amplifying the urgency of migrant conditions across the board.
