- Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s “border czar,” stated that the Trump administration will comply with court orders regarding the use of the Alien Enemies Act to remove immigrants illegally in the U.S. Homan emphasized that the administration will continue to target public safety threats despite the ongoing litigation.
- Homan’s remarks come as U.S. Federal Judge James Boasberg investigates whether the Trump administration defied an order to temporarily suspend deportation flights under the Alien Enemies Act.
- Homan claimed that those deported were gang members associated with Tren de Aragua, a designated terrorist organization. Some family members of the deported migrants dispute this affiliation.
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President Donald Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan said the Trump administration will comply with the court orders issued over its use of the wartime Alien Enemies Act to remove immigrants illegally in the United States.
What did Homan say?
Homan’s remarks came on an appearance on ABC “This Week” on Sunday, March 23.
“We’re not making this up, the Enemies Act was actually a federal law,” Homan said. “It’s a statute, enacted by Congress and signed by the president. Now, that’s under litigation. But, put that aside. We still have Title 8 authority to remove illegal aliens from the United States, and we’re going to concentrate on those who are the biggest threat to our communities, to public safety.”
When asked if that meant the administration would abide by court orders and not defy them, Homan agreed with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl.
What is the bigger picture?
Homan’s remarks come as U.S. Federal Judge James Boasberg tries to find out whether the Trump administration defied an order to temporarily suspend deportation flights under the Alien Enemies Act. The same day Boasberg filed the order, the Trump administration flew Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador.
What did Homan previously say?
On March 17, Homan said he “didn’t care what judges think” about the order. However, he clarified his comments on ABC News on Sunday.
“I don’t care what that judge thinks as far as this case. We’re going to continue to arrest public safety threats, we’re going to deport them from the United States,” Homan said. “I understand this case is in litigation under the Alien Enemies Act and we’re going to continue to abide by the court order as litigated but my point was, despite what he thinks, we’re going to keep targeting the worst of the worst.”
What is Homan saying about the deportation flights?
Homan said all of those on board the flights sent to El Salvador were gang members and most were associated with Tren de Aragua, which the Trump administration has designated as a terrorist organization.
Homan told ABC News the Trump administration removed 240 “terrorists” from the U.S. through the flights.
What are family members of the migrants saying?
Some family members of those flown to El Salvador, however, said they have no affiliation with Tren de Aragua or any other gangs.
“I’m not surprised that a member of the family is saying they are not members of the TdA, but, they were given due process, according to the laws on the books,” Homan said.
How is the Trump administration responding?
The Trump administration has criticized Boasberg’s order and called it “judicial overreach.”