Border Czar Tom Homan Slams GOP Holdouts, Urges DOJ to Prosecute Sanctuary State Officials
Former ICE Director and current border czar Tom Homan delivered a fiery defense of the “Big Beautiful Border Bill” this week, calling out Republican senators who opposed the legislation and revealing he has formally asked the Department of Justice to investigate and potentially prosecute officials in sanctuary states for obstructing federal immigration law.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Homan praised the bill as a comprehensive and necessary tool to secure America’s southern border and restore order after years of unchecked illegal immigration under the Biden administration. “This bill is not just a political statement—it’s an enforcement tool that would restore sanity to our immigration system,” Homan said. “We can’t afford half-measures anymore.”
The legislation, championed by conservative lawmakers and endorsed by President Donald Trump, proposes stringent enforcement protocols, an end to catch-and-release, the mandatory use of E-Verify, and federal penalties for jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also provides critical funding for border infrastructure and reinforces the need for a completed physical barrier.
Despite widespread support among Republican voters, a handful of Senate Republicans balked at the bill’s scope, arguing for more “measured” reforms. Homan was blunt in his response: “Any Republican who votes against this bill is turning their back on national security and the rule of law. There’s no middle ground when our country is under siege.”
Speaking at a televised roundtable hosted by conservative media, Homan accused sanctuary state officials of undermining federal authority and placing American citizens at risk. “Sanctuary laws defy common sense. They shelter criminals, create chaos in our communities, and blatantly violate federal immigration statutes,” he said. “That’s why I’ve submitted a formal request to the DOJ to evaluate criminal charges against those responsible for these sanctuary policies.”
Homan’s remarks come amid growing outrage from conservative circles over the ongoing border crisis, which many attribute to the Biden administration’s rollback of Trump-era enforcement policies. With illegal crossings surging, fentanyl pouring into communities, and criminal aliens slipping through the cracks, frustration is mounting.
“This is not a question of politics—it’s about whether we’re a nation of laws or not,” said a senior GOP aide close to the bill’s drafting. “Tom Homan is speaking for millions of Americans who are sick of lawlessness being disguised as compassion.”
Among those opposing the bill were a few moderate Senate Republicans who expressed concerns over how the legislation might be perceived by swing voters or immigrant communities. Critics within the party cited potential legal hurdles and public relations optics. But Homan and his allies dismissed such excuses as cowardly and detached from the reality on the ground.
“The American people don’t want political calculations—they want solutions,” Homan said. “You can’t appease the open-borders lobby and claim to support law and order. It’s one or the other.”
Supporters of the bill argue that it finally addresses key loopholes that have allowed sanctuary jurisdictions to resist deportation orders and release criminal aliens back onto the streets. The legislation mandates full cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE, stripping funding from jurisdictions that refuse to comply.
“This bill will ensure that no mayor, no governor, and no local sheriff can put illegal aliens above American citizens,” said Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), one of the bill’s co-sponsors in the House. “We’ve coddled lawbreakers long enough.”
Homan’s DOJ referral signals a potential shift in how the federal government could begin holding sanctuary officials accountable. Legal scholars have long debated whether state and local leaders can be prosecuted for obstructing federal law, but Homan believes the time for debate is over. “If these officials continue to harbor illegal aliens and block ICE from doing its job, they need to be brought before a court of law,” he stated.
Critics on the left immediately condemned Homan’s comments as “authoritarian” and “anti-immigrant,” but conservatives see them as a necessary step in reasserting federal supremacy in immigration enforcement.
Eric Thompson, a conservative commentator, echoed Homan’s stance: “This is about protecting citizens, not scoring political points. The sanctuary policies are reckless and dangerous. It’s refreshing to see someone in Washington with the courage to say what needs to be said.”
With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, the border continues to be a flashpoint issue for voters concerned about national security, economic strain, and the rule of law. If Homan’s message gains traction, Republicans may find themselves forced to choose between appeasing moderates or aligning with the base demanding action.
Whether the DOJ acts on Homan’s request remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the battle lines are being drawn, and Tom Homan shows no signs of backing down.