Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan explains exactly how the military will be used for mass deportations, debunks wild liberal speculation

Tom Homan, who served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term, debunked some liberals’ wild speculation that the military could be deployed to arrest people on U.S. streets, arguing that soldiers “” do not carry out their duties.

“They can definitely handle transportation, whether it’s ground transportation, air transportation… and they can definitely help build infrastructure,” he told The Post.

He described the military’s role as “administrative”; This was intended to put ICE agents back in the field after up to 70% of the staff had been reassigned to other duties, such as helping process incoming immigrants.

“The more non-enforcement work (the Department of Defense) does, the more enforcement officers are left loose on the streets looking for the bad guys,” Homan said.

Trump confirmed on Monday that he would declare a “national emergency” and use “military assets” to deport illegal immigrants when he returns to the White House.

The president-elect made his plans clear on Truth Social, saying, “TRUE!!!” he replied. to a post from Judicial Watch chief Tom Fitton explaining his hopes for such a plan.

“GOOD NEWS: Reports indicate that the incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration is preparing to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program,” Fitton wrote on the social media platform. wrote Fitton on the social media platform.

Instead of taking to the streets and making arrests, thousands of ICE officers and agents have been tasked with processing millions of illegal immigrants who have crossed the border in recent years at offices across the country, The Post recently reported.

ICE sources said an estimated 60 to 70 percent of its officers are currently stuck behind desks, with some making no arrests on the streets for the agency.

Sources said lower-level staffers are ready to “catch criminals whom Biden has allowed to roam free in the country for the past four years without facing any consequences.”

One source said he “can’t wait” to make arrests on the streets again.

Active-duty troops are prohibited from performing local law enforcement duties under the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, but the military has historically still been able to assist law enforcement in other ways.

“When I worked with the National Guard, we would do some stuff with the FBI, ATF or DEA. We’re going to do a massive raid and we’re going to provide surveillance from helicopters, we’re going to provide drone support, we’re going to do all that,” Davis Younts, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and military defense attorney, told The Post.

One of the biggest hurdles to ICE’s ability to make arrests will be sanctuary cities, which prevent local law enforcement from contacting the feds based on immigration status.

Homan said that wouldn’t stop ICE from making arrests, but he warned sanctuary leaders that it could mean more illegal immigrants would be arrested, an unintended consequence.

“I can’t believe that any mayor or governor who tells us they’re going to put up roadblocks wouldn’t want public safety threats to go away from their community,” Homan said.

“They don’t want to help us in prison, so we’ll go to the neighborhood and arrest them. And what happens in society when we find the bad guy, most likely he’s with others, so others who aren’t even on the radar will be arrested, but you know, sanctuary city policies forced us into that situation. he added.

He also warned sanctuary leaders against “harboring illegal aliens,” a felony, during a recent appearance on “Fox & Friends.”

“Don’t cross that line,” Homan said.

Originally published as: Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan explains exactly how to use the military for mass deportations, debunks wild liberal speculation