As the political climate surrounding immigration enforcement continues to boil over, former acting ICE Director and current Trump border czar Tom Homan is once again sounding the alarm—this time with even greater urgency.
In a powerful appearance on the “Cats & Cosby Show” with John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby, Homan didn't mince words. He directed his ire at Democrats who, in his view, have weaponized rhetoric against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and emboldened dangerous radicals to act out violently.
With recent shootings at ICE and Border Patrol facilities in Texas serving as painful evidence of what Homan predicted months ago, the debate over America’s immigration enforcement has reached a dangerous boiling point.
At the heart of the issue is a rising trend of politically charged attacks—both verbal and physical—against ICE and the broader network of federal immigration agents who are simply doing their jobs.
Homan’s message was clear: if Democrats have a problem with the laws ICE is enforcing, they should work to change those laws—not vilify the men and women who enforce them. “They need to remember ICE is enforcing the laws that they wrote,” Homan said. “If they don’t like what ICE is doing, then change the law.”
His words carry a weight that few in Washington can claim. Homan has spent decades in immigration enforcement. He knows the stakes. He has witnessed firsthand the bravery of ICE agents who walk into danger every day—detaining violent criminals, disrupting human trafficking networks, and arresting drug smugglers who threaten the safety of American communities.
But what has changed, according to Homan, is not the mission of ICE, but the political firestorm surrounding it.
Over the past several years, ICE has become a lightning rod for left-wing activists and progressive politicians seeking to score political points by demonizing immigration enforcement.
Comparisons to “Nazis,” “stormtroopers,” and “racists” have become commonplace from elected officials and high-profile activists on the left. Homan believes this rhetoric is not just reckless—it’s inciting violence.
He warned months ago that if the anti-ICE sentiment continued unchecked, it would eventually end in tragedy. This week, that warning nearly became reality.
On Monday, a man opened fire on a U.S. Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas. Federal agents returned fire and shot the suspect, ending the threat before it could escalate further.
Just days before, a police officer was shot outside an ICE detention facility in Alvarado, Texas. These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a growing pattern of hostility that mirrors the inflammatory language coming from the highest levels of the Democratic Party.
“I’ve seen this film before,” Homan said in his interview. “With this rhetoric, comparing ICE to Nazis and racists and terrorist groups… it’s going to embolden them to do something stupid, and we’ve seen it.” The statement is not hyperbole. It’s a sobering assessment of how deeply polarized and dangerous the immigration debate has become.
But rather than reflect on the consequences of their words, Democrats continue to pour gasoline on the fire. Leading voices in the party, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Ayanna Pressley, have called for the abolition of ICE entirely.
They ignore the fact that ICE agents are responsible for apprehending thousands of violent criminals each year—including rapists, murderers, and child predators. These agents are trained professionals tasked with upholding the very laws that Congress passed. Their job is not political—it is lawful.
Yet the public image of ICE has been distorted beyond recognition, thanks in large part to a media ecosystem that too often treats border enforcement as an act of cruelty rather than public service.
Headlines emphasize deportations without context. Stories focus on isolated tragedies while ignoring the broader success of ICE in protecting the American people. The result is a deeply skewed narrative that portrays ICE agents as villains rather than as the brave public servants they are.
President Trump, for his part, has stood firmly behind ICE. Throughout his presidency and in his ongoing campaign for 2024, Trump has emphasized the importance of border security and the rule of law.
Under his administration, ICE was empowered to carry out its mission without apology. Interior enforcement actions increased, sanctuary cities were challenged, and criminal illegal aliens were targeted with greater precision. Trump made clear that no nation can exist without borders—and ICE is on the front lines of ensuring America’s borders are secure.
In contrast, the Biden administration has largely retreated from that stance, tying ICE’s hands through restrictive policies, budget constraints, and political pressure. Morale within the agency has plummeted.
Arrests of illegal immigrants with criminal records have declined. The border remains chaotic, with record-breaking numbers of illegal crossings straining resources at every level. Yet instead of fixing the mess, Democrats continue to demonize the very people trying to bring order to the crisis.
Tom Homan’s frustration is not just with the left’s rhetoric—it’s with their hypocrisy. “They want to attack ICE for doing their job, but they’re the ones who wrote the laws ICE is enforcing,” he said.
“If they don’t like the law, they should do something about it in Congress—not put a target on the backs of federal officers.” The logic is unassailable. Laws do not enforce themselves.
ICE agents are not acting unilaterally. They are operating under a legal framework passed by Congress and signed by past presidents. Blaming them for upholding the law is not only dishonest—it’s dangerous.
Moreover, this dangerous climate affects recruitment, retention, and the safety of agents’ families. ICE officers have been doxxed online. Their children have been threatened at school. Their homes have been vandalized. How can we expect these men and women to protect us when we do so little to protect them?
In truth, ICE’s work is more essential now than ever. The agency handles not only immigration enforcement but also investigations into terrorism, child exploitation, transnational gangs, and illegal arms trafficking.
Without ICE, the United States would lose a critical tool in fighting complex international threats. Calls to defund or abolish the agency are not just misguided—they are a gift to criminals who prey on vulnerable people and operate across our borders with impunity.
The solution, as Homan points out, is not to undermine law enforcement, but to legislate responsibly. If Democrats believe ICE is being asked to do too much, or is operating under outdated laws, then they should take action in Congress.
Propose changes. Debate reforms. Pass legislation. But until that happens, respect the rule of law and the officers tasked with upholding it. That is the foundation of any functioning democracy.
In recent weeks, Trump has doubled down on his commitment to law and order. His campaign has promised to restore ICE’s full authority, reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and deploy federal resources to address the cartel-driven chaos at the border.
He has also pledged to protect federal agents from political witch hunts and violent threats. This stance is not extreme—it is common sense. The American people want safe neighborhoods, secure borders, and an immigration system that prioritizes legal entry and national interest.
As 2026 approaches, immigration is once again emerging as a defining issue. The contrast between the parties could not be more stark. On one side: chaos, open borders, and the demonization of law enforcement. On the other: order, accountability, and support for the men and women who risk everything to keep America safe.
Tom Homan's voice deserves to be heard—not because he is a partisan warrior, but because he is a truth-teller who has seen the costs of political cowardice and rhetorical recklessness. He has seen agents bleed. He has seen families grieve. And he has seen politicians in Washington do nothing.
It is time for Democrats to step up, take responsibility for their rhetoric, and remember that behind every ICE badge is a human being willing to lay down their life for their country.
Until then, they should follow Homan’s blunt but accurate advice: “Shut the hell up and stop attacking ICE.” The safety of the nation—and of the officers who defend it—depends on it.
