Incoming border czar Tom Homan joined Governor Greg Abbott in Texas on Tuesday to serve Thanksgiving meals to troops stationed at the southern border. While there, he praised Abbott's "unprecedented success" in securing the border and issued a stern warning to Democratic officials opposing a planned deportation operation.
"I've said 100 times in the last week, don't cross that line. It's a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal illegal aliens from immigration authorities – don't test us," Homan warned. His remarks targeted officials in multiple states, including Arizona, Illinois, and Massachusetts, who have pledged not to cooperate with the deportation plans.
The mayor of Denver even declared he’d be willing to go to jail over his opposition to the incoming administration’s deportation strategy. These bold stances have set up clashes with the incoming Trump administration’s policies.
Homan and Abbott spent the day serving meals to Texas National Guard soldiers and state troopers in Eagle Pass and Edinburg, Texas. In Edinburg, Homan lauded the troops, saying, "You're not just protecting Texas, you're protecting the entire country."
At Eagle Pass, Homan specifically commended Abbott’s efforts on border security. "Governor Abbott has done an amazing job. Illegal immigration in Texas is down 86%. Think about that. This is a model we can take across the country. We're going to help Governor Abbott finish the job he started," he said.
Homan, recently appointed "border czar" by President-elect Trump, is preparing for a high-profile role in the upcoming mass deportation operation. As a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homan brings experience and visibility to the administration’s immigration agenda.
Abbott’s border policies have often clashed with the Biden administration. Texas bore much of the burden of a historic migrant crisis in recent years, but Abbott’s office credits state efforts for a sharp drop in numbers in 2024. The Biden administration, however, attributes the decrease to its broader policies, including asylum restrictions and cooperation with Mexico.
Controversy has followed Abbott’s tactics, including bussing migrants to sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago and deploying buoys on the Rio Grande. His administration has also built sections of its own border wall and provided additional security measures.
The alignment between Abbott and the incoming administration promises more aggressive border security measures. Speaking on "Fox & Friends," Homan emphasized the urgency. "We're already planning what we're going to do to lock down the state of Texas. Gov. Abbott's doing a great job. Illegal crossings in Texas are down over 80% because of the great work by Gov. Abbott."
Homan vowed to expand those efforts nationwide. "We're going to partner up and help him do 100% security on his border, and we're going to do that across the southwest border," he said.
On Monday, Abbott highlighted the state’s ongoing initiatives, including more buoy barriers on the Rio Grande. "Texas continues our historic border security mission to stop illegal entry and safeguard our nation," he declared. "We’ll use every tool and strategy available to hold the line."
Speaking with Sean Hannity later that day, Abbott expressed gratitude for the incoming administration and Homan’s role. "I’m thankful that we have Tom Homan as the incoming border czar who is going to help execute those laws and enforce those laws and make sure that we get back to restoring order," he said.