Trump picks Tom Homan as ‘border czar’, Stephen Miller for top policy role

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen a number of strict immigration advocates for important roles in his administration, as he promises to conduct the largest deportation of undocumented immigrants in history.

On Sunday evening, Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he has appointed Tom Homan, the former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as his "border czar."

"I've known Tom for many years, and there's no one more skilled at managing and securing our borders," Trump stated. He also mentioned that Homan will oversee "the deportation of illegal immigrants back to their home countries."

Trump subsequently appointed Stephen Miller, a close advisor who played a key role in formulating some of the administration's most extreme immigration measures during his first term, including the separation of families, to serve as his deputy chief of staff for policy.

"Vice President-elect JD Vance praised the nomination in a post on X Monday, calling it another excellent choice by the president."

This is another great choice made by the president. Congratulations, @StephenM! https://t.co/2kQCmbcRy3

— JD Vance (@JDVance) November 11, 2024

Moreover, Trump has chosen Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to be the ambassador to the United Nations, according to a statement reported by various US news outlets, such as Reuters and the Associated Press. He praised her as "an exceptionally strong, resilient, and intelligent advocate for America First."

Sefanik, a Congress member from a district in New York, announced her acceptance of the position in a statement to the New York Post. She expressed that she feels "genuinely honored" and is prepared to support Trump’s approach to leadership, which emphasizes achieving peace through strength.

Stefanik is a strong advocate for Israel and attracted national interest during congressional hearings earlier this year concerning how alleged cases of anti-Semitism were addressed at prestigious universities in the United States.

Unlike Stefanik's appointment, which needs to be approved by the Senate, Homan's and Miller's positions do not require such confirmation.

Mike Hannah from Al Jazeera, reporting close to Trump’s residence in Palm Beach, Florida, noted that his recent appointments indicate he is now focusing on individuals known for their loyalty.

Hannah emphasized that the key factor his team is seeking is total loyalty to the president-elect. She also noted that the current transition period is essential for establishing the fundamental components of the incoming administration.

"Expel Them From The Country"

The initial appointments of Homan and Miller highlight one of Trump's fundamental campaign promises: to take strong action against immigration, which he has unfoundedly blamed for crime and financial difficulties.

"During a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina last week, Trump declared that once he assumes office, the influx of migrants would stop. He referred to these migrants as 'violent and ruthless criminals' and vowed to ‘remove them from the country’."

For many years, the US government has faced challenges in overseeing the southern border with Mexico. Trump has asserted that an "invasion" is occurring, alleging that migrants pose threats of violence and sexual assault against Americans.

During his campaign speeches, he amplified local conflicts and provided misleading information about immigration data and policies. While violent crime rates increased during Trump's presidency, they have actually decreased each year since Joe Biden took office. However, there have been a few notable incidents of violence against women and children involving foreign suspects.

However, studies indicate that immigrants are less prone to engage in violent criminal activities, and undocumented workers contribute to taxes that help fund social programs they are not able to benefit from.

The number of encounters between US border patrol agents and migrants entering from Mexico without authorization has returned to levels similar to those seen in 2020, which was the final year of Trump’s presidency. This comes after an unprecedented high of 250,000 encounters recorded in December 2023.

Trump pledged to address migrant gangs by utilizing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This law permits the federal government to detain and deport foreigners from nations considered adversaries. He named his large-scale deportation effort “Operation Aurora.”

Aurora became the focus of a viral video that depicted armed Latino individuals causing chaos in an apartment building, which led to widespread, misleading stories about the town being besieged by migrants from Latin America. Likewise, Trump has advanced the unfounded claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, are consuming the pets of local residents.

Homan and Miller have mirrored Trump's insulting language regarding immigrants.

During a pro-Trump campaign event at Madison Square Garden in New York in late October, Miller received enthusiastic applause as he criticized what he referred to as “years of mistreatment” that, according to him, the American people have suffered.

“Their work opportunities have been taken away and sent off to places like Mexico and Asia,” Miller stated. “The lives of their loved ones have been torn apart by illegal immigrants, criminal gangs, and thugs who have no right to be here.”

Miller will work alongside Trump's newly selected chief of staff, Susie Wiles, who played a key role in leading his presidential campaign and has been recognized for managing a well-organized and professional team.

Homan, who led a significant increase in the number of immigrant arrests during his time as ICE director in 2017, has stated that immigrants should expect to feel on edge and wary during a Trump administration.

“I promise you this: When Trump returns in January, I’ll be right behind him, and I will launch the largest deportation effort this nation has ever witnessed,” Homan stated earlier this year at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, DC.

Nonetheless, Homan has stated that the US military will not take part in detaining and arresting undocumented immigrants within the country.

"It will be a carefully coordinated operation carried out by the agents of ICE. The men and women at ICE handle these kinds of tasks every day and are very skilled at what they do," he said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday. "We’ll ensure that it’s carried out with compassion."

Experts caution that the heightened discussions surrounding immigration might escalate the humanitarian crisis at the border and provide a rationale for implementing severe policies. According to the International Organisation for Migration, a UN agency, the trek across the US-Mexico border was declared the "most lethal land route for migrants ever documented" last year.