WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President Donald Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan said Tuesday that he is “not satisfied” with the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.
When asked by NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer if Trump is happy with immigration crackdown efforts since returning to office, Homan responded, “I’m not.”
“If you look at the rest of interior enforcement, it’s about three times higher than it was a year ago today. Three times higher is good, but I’m not satisfied. There are more criminal aliens that need to be arrested, hundreds of thousands,” he added. “Sanctuary cities are putting roadblocks up. We’ve got leaks. So we need to increase the arrests of illegal aliens, especially those with criminal convictions. So we’re going to continue.”
His remarks followed NewsNation’s confirmation that Trump is frustrated with the number of arrests made by immigration officials in the U.S.
Trump: Immigration numbers are too low
When asked about the pace of deportations Sunday, Trump took the opportunity to say his border officials are doing an “incredible job” and acknowledged it is difficult to find migrants who know they are being sought.
However, a source with knowledge of the matter told NewsNation that the president told aides “the numbers are too f—— low,” and said that Trump wants more arrests.
Asked last week if ICE needs to do more, Homan said, “They’re doing a great job, but they’ve got to do more.”
ICE averaged 787 arrests per day between Jan. 23-31, and about 11,000 arrests have been made in the last 18 days. The White House has reported 461 undocumented migrants were released from custody due to health concerns, insufficient detention space and other factors.
Homan told NewsNation he spoke with ICE Acting Director Caleb Vitello and that no one should be released back into the community “without the clearance of headquarters.” He said he understands there will be some releases but that the number was “unacceptable and that’s been fixed.”
IRS could help with immigration crackdown
Trump has requested the Department of Homeland Security send Internal Revenue Service agents to assist with immigration enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday requesting criminal investigators agents assist with investigating human trafficking networks and finding businesses hiring illegal migrants.
The request is part of Trump’s efforts to ramp up mass deportations.