‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan Rebukes Minnesota Leadership Over Immigration Cooperation: “They Should Be Saying Thank You”
Former Acting ICE Director Tom Homan, often referred to as the “Border Czar” for his hardline stance on immigration enforcement, delivered a stinging rebuke to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey this week. In a statement addressing the friction between federal agents and local jurisdictions, Homan dismissed the grievances of the Minnesota officials regarding federal operations, asserting that their non-cooperation policies necessitate federal intervention.
“Instead of complaining, they should be saying THANK YOU,” Homan declared, emphasizing a “no apologies” approach to strict border and interior enforcement.
The conflict highlights the widening chasm between federal immigration authorities and “sanctuary” jurisdictions. Homan’s comments suggest that when local law enforcement refuses to honor ICE detainers—requests to hold undocumented individuals who have been arrested on criminal charges—federal agents are forced to conduct more visible, at-large arrest operations in the community. Homan argues that by stepping in to remove individuals he classifies as public safety threats, federal agents are doing the job that local leaders are neglecting.
Background on the Conflict
Minnesota has increasingly positioned itself as a state with protections for undocumented residents. Governor Tim Walz signed the “Driver’s Licenses for All” bill into law, allowing unauthorized immigrants to obtain state identification and drive legally, a move supporters say improves road safety and insurance rates. Similarly, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has upheld separation ordinances that prohibit city police from acting as de facto immigration agents, a policy designed to clearly distinguish between local law enforcement and federal deportation officers.
Homan, a central figure in conservative immigration policy circles, views these measures as obstructions to the rule of law. His rhetoric centers on the belief that sanctuary policies create safe havens for criminals, thereby endangering the broader public.
Local Officials Cite Public Safety Concerns
However, the objections from Walz, Frey, and other sanctuary city proponents are rooted in a different interpretation of public safety. Their longstanding argument is that cooperation with ICE undermines community trust. Law enforcement officials in these jurisdictions frequently warn that if immigrants believe calling 911 or acting as a witness will lead to deportation, they will cease reporting crimes. This silence, they argue, allows criminals to prey on vulnerable communities with impunity.
Furthermore, local leaders often contend that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that utilizing local police resources and tax dollars to enforce federal civil law is an overreach.
Despite these objections, Homan’s latest message signals that federal enforcement proponents are unwilling to back down, framing their operations as a necessary corrective to what they view as local failures. As the debate over state versus federal authority intensifies, the standoff between Homan’s philosophy and Minnesota’s leadership remains stark.
