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In a firm and resolute statement this week, Border Czar Tom Homan declared that the Trump administration will escalate its efforts against sanctuary cities, with a particular focus on New York City and other jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Homan promised to “double down and triple down” on sanctuary cities, signaling an aggressive federal approach in these areas.
Homan emphasized that the move is not about political affiliations or party lines. “We’re going to be in New York City, and President Trump said it two weeks ago,” he said. “We’re going to double down and triple down on sanctuary cities. Why? Not because they’re a blue city or a blue state… because we know that’s where the problem is.” According to Homan, sanctuary cities are releasing individuals considered public safety and national security threats into their communities daily.
Homan contrasted sanctuary cities with Florida, where he praised sheriffs for cooperating fully with federal immigration authorities. “We don’t have that problem in Florida, where every sheriff in the state is working with us,” he said. “I’ve said it before, we’ll flood the zone on sanctuary cities.”
This tough rhetoric follows the passage of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” a legislative package that provides funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hire up to 10,000 additional agents. President Trump has set a goal to deport up to 21 million undocumented immigrants, underscoring his administration’s commitment to cracking down on illegal immigration.
In addition to ramping up enforcement, Homan voiced strong condemnation of CNN for promoting a mobile application known as ICEBlock, which allows users to track the real-time locations of ICE agents. This app has sparked controversy, as some argue it puts immigration officers at risk by facilitating ambushes or attacks.
Homan called on the Justice Department to investigate the app’s promotion by a major news network. “It sounds like this would be an incitement of further violence against our ICE officers,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. She added that it was “unacceptable” for a network to promote an app that could encourage violence against officers working to maintain public safety.
Homan echoed these concerns, warning that the app’s availability and media coverage might embolden violent attacks against ICE personnel. Referencing a recent incident in Los Angeles where officers faced Molotov cocktails and thrown bricks, Homan described the situation as “disgusting at every level.” He urged the Justice Department to take swift and serious action to protect agents.
Legal experts, however, have cautioned that prosecuting users or promoters of the ICEBlock app could raise constitutional issues related to the First Amendment. The debate highlights the complex balance between protecting law enforcement officers and safeguarding free speech rights in the United States.
The Trump administration’s aggressive stance on sanctuary cities and its willingness to pursue legal action against jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate marks a significant escalation in immigration policy. The clash between federal authorities and local governments continues to intensify, with border enforcement officials like Homan leading the charge.
As federal resources are expanded and enforcement efforts increase, sanctuary cities face mounting pressure to reconcile their local policies with federal demands. The coming months will likely see heightened tensions, legal battles, and an ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement, public safety, and community rights.
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