Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Border Czar, seemed to avoid a question about workplace raids as part of the planned "largest deportation operation in American history," saying both he and Trump are set to focus on "public security and national security threats."
In an interview with CBS' Face the Nation, host Margaret Brennan asked Homan whether some industries who hire undocumented workers "because they are cheap labor" should prepare for workplace raids. "On day one, are you going to restart raids on worksites?" she asked.
Homan focused directly on security, not answering the question. "The president is going to concentrate on public safety threats and national security threats. The southwest border has become the biggest national security vulnerability we've seen in this nation. FBI Director (Christopher) Wray agrees with me. "e know there's people in this country who pose a national security threat. We've arrested a record number of people on terrorist watchlist. There's a 3,500% increase in people on the terrorist watchlist arrested at the border," Homan said.
BRENNAN: On day one are you going to restart deportation raids on work sites, on construction sites?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 5, 2025
TOM HOMAN: The president is going to concentrate on public safety threats and national security threats pic.twitter.com/pqxnVRx7gW
The statement is a departure from previous stances. Right after Trump announced his appointment, Homan told "Fox & Friends" he planned on increasing workplace raids. "Where do we find most victims of sex trafficking and forced labor trafficking? At worksites," Homan said back in late November.
Companies in construction and agriculture would be the most affected considering the proportion of such workers they hire. A report by Bloomberg detailed that nearly 25% of construction workers in Texas are undocumented, according to the American Immigration Council.
"The presence of undocumented workers is broadly acknowledged by the industry, but it's hard for employers to ascertain their workers' status", Bloomberg explains. "Other construction companies use subcontractors to insulate themselves from accountability, industry experts say."
The state's agriculture sector also relies heavily on undocumented labor. Although the U.S. offers seasonal visas for agricultural workers, these programs are costly and challenging for small farms to access so immigration advocates fear that mass deportations could discourage both undocumented and legal seasonal workers from entering the U.S., potentially driving up food prices and reducing availability of certain produce.
Homan has anticipated the public can already expect action on the first day of the administration. "Shock and awe," he said twice, with a smile. Trump revealed that he is planning on declaring a national emergency the moment he takes office, seeking to use the U.S. military to carry out deportation plans.
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