Tom Homan, recently appointed as the border czar under the Trump administration, has issued a stern warning to sanctuary cities.
According to Fox News, the new border czar affirmed that interference with federal immigration laws by state officials may lead to federal prosecution.
During a revealing interview, Tom Homan discussed the stance of the Trump administration regarding cities that declare themselves as sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants.
These cities often refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement to protect non-citizens. His remarks followed a statement by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who expressed intentions to safeguard non-citizens from mass deportations.
Homan clarified that while federal authorities will not force state and city officials to aid in immigration matters, they expect those officials not to hinder federal actions. He referenced Section 1324(1)(a)(iii) of the immigration law, which makes it a felony for any person who attempts to hide or shield unauthorized immigrants.
To support his point, he cited the case United States v. Gillock, which underscores the dominance of federal law in matters constitutionally entrusted to the federal government.
Moreover, the landmark Supreme Court decision in Arizona v. United States reaffirmed that the federal government solely controls immigration, preventing states from imposing their immigration enforcement, even if federal efforts had previously been seen as insufficient.
Homan further criticized the legal foundation of sanctuary cities. He argued that Democratic leaders have primarily supported such policies, and they are not legally sustainable. Following Trump’s electoral success, numerous cities, including Los Angeles, adopted sanctuary statuses, challenging the federal immigration enforcement narrative.
Anticipating future legal challenges from progressive factions against robust immigration law enforcement, Homan remains confident that higher courts will overturn these challenges.
Furthermore, He expressed a vision for the cessation of sanctuary city policies, which he believes will encourage self-deportation among undocumented immigrants. This, according to Homan, would allocate more resources toward apprehending criminals and controlling illegal immigration more effectively.
Discussing the potential impact of these strict enforcement policies, Homan pointed out that the end of sanctuary policies would likely result in a higher rate of self-deportation among undocumented immigrants. Here's how he articulated his perspective:
Tom Homan at a microphone...he said that the feds would not attempt to commandeer state and city officials. I hear Tom Homan saying that the era of sanctuary cities is over. I hope that is true.
The call for an end to sanctuary cities marks a significant policy direction that Homan believes will allow greater federal control over immigration issues. His comments reflect the Trump administration's broader strategy to ensure that federal immigration laws are enforced uniformly across the United States, sidelining policies that hinder such enforcement.
Overall, Tom Homan's warnings to sanctuary cities underline a pivotal shift in administrative emphasis back towards federal primacy in immigration enforcement. By solidifying federal statutes against any barriers raised by state or local jurisdictions, the Trump administration seeks to reassert its authority and the overarching legal structure governing immigration.
