WireMarch 23, 2026 at 1:15 AM
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White House border czar Tom Homan stated on Sunday that the ongoing partial government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not rooted in differing immigration policies but rather in how those policies are executed. Homan made these remarks during an appearance on CNN's 'State of the Union,' emphasizing that the core issue lies in enforcement rather than policy changes.
"I truly believe this isn't really a policy issue. We have the same policies in place we had during [former President Barack] Obama and [former President Joe] Biden and [former President Bill] Clinton and [former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush]," Homan said.
The interview aired as the DHS shutdown entered its 37th day, following a failed Senate vote to fully reopen the department. Democrats, with the exception of Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, chose to prolong the standoff, prompting discussions about the underlying motivations.
Homan, who previously held a leadership role in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Obama administration, argued that the Trump administration's focus on stricter enforcement has been misinterpreted as a policy shift. He noted that policies such as deportations and detention standards remain consistent with previous administrations.
"It’s really about policy execution more than policy," Homan added. "We’re talking about identification, badge number, name, either/or because no Border Patrol has the name on their uniform. ICE does have a name on uniforms."
Historical data supports Homan's assertion that deportation policies have been consistent across administrations. The Obama administration removed nearly 3 million noncitizens during its tenure, earning the nickname "Deporter in Chief" from immigration activists. Similarly, President Bill Clinton holds the record for combined removals and returns.
Despite these figures, Homan emphasized the importance of maintaining ICE's authorities and its congressionally mandated responsibilities. He called for continued dialogue with Democrats to resolve the shutdown and address concerns over enforcement practices.
The prolonged DHS shutdown highlights the ongoing tension between policy execution and political negotiation, underscoring the challenges of immigration enforcement in a polarized political climate.