WASHINGTON — White House “border czar” Tom Homan said Thursday that the Trump administration will continue to conduct immigration raids at worksites, including farms and hotels but that criminals will be prioritized.
Speaking to reporters, he clarified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s policy at worksites after the Department of Homeland Security said this week it was reversing recent guidance that called for a pause on operations at those places.
“The message is clear now that we’re going to continue doing worksite enforcement operations, even on farms and hotels, but based on a prioritized basis. Criminals come first,” Homan said.
The Trump administration is focusing resources on so-called sanctuary cities, he said, because “they knowingly release public safety threats, illegal aliens to the community every day.”
When asked why ICE directed its agents last week to hold off on investigations of farms and hotels, Homan dodged the question saying, “Worksite enforcement operations is an important part of the work we do.”
Homan said in an interview with Fox Business on Thursday that a lot of worksite enforcement operations are “based on criminal information, criminal investigations such as forced labor, such as trafficking and such as … tax fraud and money laundering.”
DHS’ Homeland Security Investigations team paused immigration enforcement actions last week at worksites tied to the agriculture industry including meatpacking plants and fisheries, as well as restaurants and hotels, according to an internal policy memo that was sent by a senior ICE official and obtained by NBC News.
But Tuesday, DHS reversed this guidance, with spokesperson Tricia Mclaughlin saying, “There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts.”
Asked for comment about Homan’s latest remarks, DHS pointed to Mclaughlin’s previous statement.
Los Angeles is among the sanctuary cities where ICE has ramped up its immigration raids, which prompted numerous protests in recent weeks. President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops and Marines to respond to these demonstrations, drawing widespread criticism from Democrats.
Vice President JD Vance may visit Los Angeles this week, with a source with knowledge of federal law enforcement operations telling NBC News that planning is underway.
California National Guard units federalized by Trump have been involved in planning for a visit by a high-level federal official, another source said. Vance’s travel plans are not final and subject to change due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Jacob Soboroff, Didi Martinez and Julia Ainsley contributed.
