Tom Homan, the newly appointed border czar for President-elect Donald Trump, has indicated that the incoming administration plans to implement the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. In a recent interview on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, he detailed the goals and challenges associated with this ambitious strategy.

During the interview, which aired on CBS News, Homan was pressed on specific metrics for success in deportations. He pointed out that while the Biden administration claimed record deportation numbers, a significant portion of these were related to Border Patrol actions rather than interior enforcement arrests, stating that “about 80% of those numbers were actually Border Patrol arrests that the Enforcement and Removal Operations of ICE processed and moved back across the border.”

Brennan noted that the numbers under Biden were still higher than those during Trump’s first term, prompting her to seek clarity on the criteria for measuring success going forward. Homan responded, emphasizing that the metric should account for immigrants already in the U.S. He argued, “when you consider a 45-year low in crossings, the number of deportations is going to be lower because we don’t have that population to process and deport,” underscoring a clear shift in focus from initial crossings to addressing individuals residing within the United States unlawfully.

Significantly, Homan articulated a commitment to **targeting public safety threats** first, mentioning a "huge national security issue" at the southwest border and referencing a surge in arrests of individuals on terrorism watch lists. He assured that plans would include a return to worksite enforcement in industries that employ undocumented workers, stating that “[President] Trump has been clear...we are going to concentrate on public safety threats and national security threats.”

Brennan challenged Homan on the **logistical aspects** of deportation, particularly concerning countries reluctant to accept their own deportees, highlighting examples like Venezuela, which currently does not accept deportation requests. Homan expressed confidence that the Trump administration would press these countries to accept their nationals, asserting, “we’re hoping that President Trump will work with Venezuela...to get these countries to take them back.” He further mentioned that lack of cooperation from other nations wouldn’t hinder deportations, suggesting deportees could be sent to third-party countries instead.

Throughout the discussion, Homan repeatedly emphasized that public safety would take precedence in his policies, stating, “we’ve had too many young women murdered and raped...by members of Venezuelan gangs,” asserting that these individuals would be prioritized for removal under the new administration. As the interview concluded, Brennan noted that many across the country were keenly awaiting further details on these sweeping changes, ensuring that the public remains engaged with the evolving narrative surrounding immigration policy.

This conversation highlights the **controversial immigration policies** that will likely define Trump's second term. Critics have expressed concerns about the potential human and financial costs of such mass deportation efforts and the impact on immigrant communities, especially in 'sanctuary cities' that may resist federal enforcement actions.

For further details, visit The Hill.