NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF ARTICLE
Tom Homan, former ICE director and current White House Border Czar, publicly criticized CNN on Monday for promoting an app that allows users to report the real-time location of federal immigration agents.
The app, called ICEBlock, functions as a crowdsourced map where users can tag sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. CNN’s coverage of the app, which aired earlier the same day, featured technology reporter Clare Duffy explaining how the app operates and noting that the developer claims it is meant to help people avoid agents, not interfere with them.
Homan was outraged by both the existence of the app and CNN’s decision to spotlight it. He called the app “simply disgusting” and said its promotion puts federal law enforcement officers at serious risk.
“It’s only a matter of time before ICE officers are ambushed,” Homan said, referencing past attacks on federal agents including a Molotov cocktail incident in Los Angeles. “Any network that covers that is disgusting as well.”
He urged the Department of Justice to investigate the developers and distribution of the app, arguing that ICE officers are already performing high-risk operations and shouldn’t be further endangered by public tools that expose their movements.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Homan’s concerns during her Monday briefing, saying, “It’s unacceptable that a major network would promote such an app that is encouraging violence against law enforcement officers who are trying to keep our country safe.”
Leavitt also called the app a potential form of incitement, warning that it could inspire violence against ICE agents, whose job it is to remove public safety threats and protect national security.
CNN reporter Clare Duffy had emphasized that the app developer insisted it wasn’t meant to incite confrontation. “He does not want people interfering with officers’ activity, but he does want people to be able to avoid them altogether,” Duffy explained.
The app reportedly sends push alerts to users within a five-mile radius when someone reports an ICE agent’s location.
Homan responded by saying, “This shouldn’t be a partisan issue.” He noted that assaults on ICE officers have increased by 500 percent and called it disgraceful that law enforcement personnel are being vilified for doing their jobs.
“These agents are going after some of the worst offenders,” Homan said. “And now we’re putting them in more danger. It’s disgusting.”
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
