Homan didn’t hold back.
The Trump administration is signaling that a major increase in immigration enforcement could soon be coming to New York City, despite continued resistance from city leaders over sanctuary policies.
White House Border Czar Tom Homan said federal immigration authorities are preparing to expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the nation’s largest city, arguing that local officials will not stop the administration from enforcing federal immigration law.
Speaking on Fox & Friends Weekend, Homan made it clear that the administration intends to press forward with President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.
“It’s coming,” Homan said when asked whether New York City should expect a larger ICE presence.
ICE Operations Already Underway
Homan confirmed that ICE agents are already conducting operations throughout New York City and across the state but indicated those efforts are expected to grow significantly.
“ICE is operating in New York City today. We’re operating across the state today, but there’s going to be a surge, and there needs to be a surge,” Homan said.
The longtime immigration official declined to reveal additional operational details, explaining that publicizing enforcement plans could help activist organizations interfere with federal officers.
“I’m not going to show our hand because there are well-funded groups that will try to impede or interfere,” Homan explained. “We’re not going to give them any advantage.”
The comments underscore the Trump administration’s commitment to expanding immigration enforcement in cities that limit cooperation with federal authorities.
Mamdani Defends New York’s Sanctuary Policies
Homan’s remarks came shortly after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reaffirmed his support for the city’s sanctuary status during an interview with The New York Times.
Mamdani said he takes pride in New York City’s approach to immigration and argued that local government should not assist federal officials with civil immigration enforcement.
He said city leaders are unwilling to participate in deportation efforts carried out by what he described as a federal government pursuing broad immigration enforcement.
During the interview, Mamdani was also asked whether he had ever visited the U.S.-Mexico border. He replied simply, “No.”
His comments quickly drew criticism from supporters of stricter border enforcement.
Homan Fires Back
Homan responded forcefully, saying federal immigration laws exist for a reason and that ICE officers will continue enforcing them regardless of political opposition from local officials.
According to Homan, individuals who entered the United States illegally are subject to federal immigration law, and ICE has a duty to enforce those laws.
He argued that disagreements over immigration policy should be addressed through Congress rather than by refusing to cooperate with federal authorities.
“If someone doesn’t like the law, they should call their members of Congress and ask them to change it,” Homan said.
The exchange highlights the growing divide between the Trump administration and sanctuary jurisdictions over immigration enforcement.
Trump Doubles Down on Border Security
Immigration has remained one of President Trump’s signature issues since returning to the White House.
Throughout his campaign, Trump pledged to secure the southern border, strengthen immigration enforcement, and increase deportations of individuals who are in the country illegally.
Homan said those promises played a major role in Trump’s election victory and argued that voters expect the administration to follow through.
According to Homan, the administration’s actions are designed to deliver exactly what Americans voted for: stronger border security, greater enforcement of immigration laws, and a renewed focus on public safety.
Federal and Local Governments Continue to Clash
The disagreement between Washington and New York reflects a broader national debate over immigration policy.
Supporters of sanctuary cities argue that limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities encourages immigrant communities to report crimes and work with local police without fear of deportation. Critics contend that sanctuary policies undermine federal law and make it more difficult to remove individuals who are in the country illegally.
The Trump administration has consistently argued that immigration laws should be enforced uniformly across the country, regardless of local political preferences.
As ICE prepares for what Homan described as a major enforcement surge, New York City is expected to remain one of the central battlegrounds in the ongoing fight over border security, sanctuary policies, and federal immigration enforcement.
With both sides standing firmly behind their positions, the conflict between the Trump administration and New York’s leadership shows little sign of slowing down. For supporters of tougher immigration enforcement, the coming weeks could mark another significant step in President Trump’s effort to reshape America’s immigration system while delivering on one of his most prominent campaign promises.
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