President Trump’s border czar doesn’t hold back. He calls it like he sees it.
That’s why Trump’s border czar just put all of COngress on notice with just three scorching hot words.
Tom Homan Criticizes Congressional Misunderstanding of Immigration Law: “It’s Really Pathetic”
On Monday, President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, sharply criticized Democratic lawmakers, accusing them of possessing a limited grasp of U.S. immigration law. The remarks came in response to a misstatement by Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett, who inaccurately claimed that entering the United States illegally does not constitute a “criminal violation.” This assertion contradicts Title VIII of the United States Code 1325, which clearly defines illegal entry as a crime. Notably, a similar line of reasoning has been echoed by Democratic New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Homan’s comments were made during an appearance on Fox Business’s Varney & Co., where he expressed frustration over lawmakers’ apparent unfamiliarity with the very statutes they have played a role in establishing. “It’s really pathetic that any member of Congress don’t understand what the law says. They wrote the law. They enacted the law. It was signed by a president,” Homan stated. He went on to clarify the legal reality, saying, “It is a criminal violation to enter the country illegally. If you’ve entered prior, it’s a felony … We will enforce those laws.”
The statute in question, Title VIII, U.S. Code 1325, outlines specific penalties for illegal entry. According to the law, anyone who enters or attempts to enter the U.S. at any time or place other than those designated by immigration officers, or who evades inspection by immigration officials, faces consequences. A first offense can result in up to six months in jail, while a repeat offense—following a prior conviction—carries a potential penalty of up to two years imprisonment.
Homan’s pointed critique has sparked attention, particularly as it calls into question the knowledge of elected officials tasked with shaping and upholding national policy. Representative Crockett, whose remarks prompted the border czar’s response, has yet to address the criticism directed her way.
The exchange sheds light on ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, a topic that remains a focal point in American political discourse. As the border czar, Homan has consistently emphasized the importance of adhering to existing laws, a stance he reiterated during his television appearance. For now, the public awaits any potential reply from Crockett or other lawmakers singled out in this latest clash over legal interpretation.
Border Czar Targets Columbia University Protest Leader for Deportation
In recent news, Tom Homan has issued a stern warning that Mahmoud Khalil, a key figure in the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, will be the first of many legal green card holders to face detention and potential deportation for misusing their immigration status. Khalil, a 30-year-old Syrian-born Palestinian who earned his graduate degree from the Ivy League institution in December, was apprehended by federal immigration agents over the weekend in New York City. Now, he finds himself at the center of a contentious legal battle over his residency in the United States.
Khalil emerged as a prominent leader in the wave of anti-Israel demonstrations, building occupations, and encampments that have disrupted Columbia University for over a year. Despite his active role in these protests, he had not faced criminal charges related to his activism until his recent arrest. Federal authorities detained him, and he is currently being held in an immigration facility in Louisiana as his case unfolds.
Speaking on Fox Business Network’s Varney & Co. on Monday, Homan made it clear that the government has the authority to deport individuals—even those legally present in the country—if they violate the terms of their residency. “That’s just one out of many,” Homan said, referring to Khalil’s detainment. He went on to question whether Khalil had breached the conditions of his visa or green card, asking, “Did he violate the terms of his residency here, you know, committing crimes, attacking Israeli students, locking down buildings, destroying property?” Homan emphasized that “any resident alien who commits a crime is eligible for deportation,” signaling a tough stance on immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
The detention has sparked a legal fight. On Monday, a federal judge in New York City issued an order preventing Khalil’s immediate deportation while the court reviews a challenge from his legal team. His attorneys argue that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acted unlawfully in detaining him. According to a court filing, ICE agents informed Khalil that the State Department had revoked his green card, and he would soon face an immigration judge. A hearing to address these claims is scheduled for Wednesday.
Homan, undeterred by the judicial intervention, insisted that Khalil’s case is just the beginning. He tied the detention to President Trump’s pledge to crack down on anti-Israel protesters holding green cards. “We’re going to send a strong message to say, anybody here on a foreign visa, that you’re given a great right to come to the greatest country on Earth and study in our colleges,” Homan declared. “But when you come here to study, you got to obey the laws of this country. You got to obey the requirements of that visa to be lawful while you’re here.”
He continued, “So, it’s a great privilege to study in this country, but, when we give you that right to study in this country, don’t violate our laws.” Homan’s comments suggest a wider effort to monitor and penalize foreign nationals who engage in activities deemed unlawful or disruptive while in the U.S. on visas or green cards.
Adding another layer to the case, a White House source revealed on Monday that Khalil was under investigation as a possible national security risk. The source indicated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been briefed with intelligence prompting the scrutiny. While specifics about the intelligence remain undisclosed, the source noted that the Department of Homeland Security has been collecting information on individuals “actively engaging in supporting Hamas.” This development raises questions about the scope of the government’s investigation and whether Khalil’s activism crossed a line into territory that could justify his removal from the country.
The Federalist Wire will update you on any further comments from border czar Tom Homan.
