The intensifying clash between Tom Homan and Sanctuary City mayors has reached a boiling point as both sides dig in on their positions. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s criticism of Homan has only intensified the confrontation between federal immigration enforcers and local governments. How effective have ICE operations been in removing dangerous criminals from sanctuary cities?
Border Czar Confronts Sanctuary City Policies
Tom Homan has intensified his criticism of sanctuary city policies following testimony from several mayors before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The mayors of Boston, Denver, New York City, and Chicago defended their sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu particularly drew Homan’s ire after she condemned his earlier threats and defended her city’s policies. Wu stated, “Shame on him for lying about my city, for having the nerve to insult our police commissioner, who has overseen the safest Boston’s been in anyone’s lifetime. Bring him here under oath, and let’s ask him some questions.”
TOM HOMAN IS ON FIRE
“For the congressmen who keep saying they [illegals] commit less crime than Americans— who cares?! Every crime committed… every child raped… every public safety threat… could’ve been prevented because THEY’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!!!” pic.twitter.com/7KjofjDaQZ
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 6, 2025
Enforcement Operations and Public Safety Debate
Homan responded forcefully to the mayors’ criticism during his appearance on Fox News, specifically targeting Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s claim that deporting dangerous individuals makes the city less safe. The former ICE director detailed specific operations in Chicago that resulted in the arrest of gang members, convicted murderers, and child predators.
“As far as mayor of Chicago, about we’re not making this community safer; I went up there and did a one-day operation. We took seven TDA members off the street. We took two illegal aliens that were convicted of murder, that they released, took them off the street,” Homan declared.
Tom Homan just RIPPED Democrat Mayor Wu after she insulted him at the Congressional Hearing earlier today:
"If I get to live in her mind rent-free every day, that’s kind of cool. I love my job. I work for the greatest president in my lifetime. We’re making America safe again."… pic.twitter.com/raoQOS2ixL
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) March 6, 2025
Family Separation and Trafficking Concerns
The immigration enforcement debate extends beyond sanctuary cities to include controversial policies like family separation. Homan defended past practices by explaining, “Yes, we separated families because we prosecuted parents, and the children can’t go to jail with them. That happens to U.S. citizen parents hundreds of times across this country every day.”
He redirected attention to what he describes as a more pressing issue of child trafficking across the border. “But they don’t talk about the half a million children that were trafficked into this country. They can’t find 300,000 of them. They’re in sex trafficking and forced labor—not a word about that,” Homan stated.
Rep. James Comer, chairing the House committee hearing, emphasized concerns that sanctuary policies potentially endanger ICE officers and the public. Sanctuary City defenders counter that their policies foster trust within immigrant communities, encouraging crime reporting without fear of deportation.
The standoff between Homan and Sanctuary City mayors reflects the larger national divide over immigration policy priorities. With Homan declaring, “We’re coming” and pledging continued enforcement operations in sanctuary jurisdictions, this conflict appears poised to escalate rather than resolve shortly.