Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan forcefully laid out his immigration enforcement agenda during a keynote speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2026. Homan, who served as ICE director under the Trump administration, emphasized the need for immediate and comprehensive action to secure the U.S. southern border and address illegal immigration.
Enforcement Priorities
Homan called for the reinstatement of strict immigration policies, including the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants and expanded use of detention centers. He argued that such measures are essential to protect American workers and restore national sovereignty. 'We cannot allow our laws to be ignored while American jobs and communities suffer,' he stated.
'Every nation has the right to secure its borders, and it's time we start acting like it,' Homan said during his address.
Economic Nationalism
Homan also highlighted the economic impact of unchecked immigration, particularly on low-wage American workers. He pointed to studies showing wage suppression in industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor and called for policies that prioritize domestic employment. 'The American worker must come first, not the interests of globalist corporations,' he declared.
In addition to enforcement measures, Homan advocated for increased funding for border security technologies and the construction of additional physical barriers along the southern border. He criticized the Biden administration's handling of immigration, calling it a 'failure of leadership' that has led to record-high border crossings.
While Homan's proposals garnered enthusiastic applause from the CPAC audience, they are likely to face significant opposition from immigration advocates and progressive lawmakers. The debate over immigration policy remains a deeply divisive issue in American politics.