() White House border czar Tom Homan defended federal immigration enforcement operations Monday, rejecting criticism that ICE raids are “going too far” as protests continue in Los Angeles over workplace arrests.
“I don’t think we’re going too far,” Homan said on ’s “CUOMO.” “I think the men and women of ICE are acting very professionally, and they’re out there enforcing laws enacted by Congress.”
Homan’s comments came as President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles following protests over immigration enforcement operations that began Friday. The border czar said ICE will continue its operations despite the unrest, with over 100 teams working daily across the nation.
The protests erupted after ICE served criminal search warrants at businesses Wednesday as part of an investigation into money laundering, tax evasion and customs fraud.
Homan said the targeted company brought in over $87 million in goods while failing to pay $17 million in tariff taxes, with some proceeds allegedly funding cartel activity in Mexico and Colombia.
During the operation, Homan said ICE arrested 40 people working at the company illegally, along with other targets including a Vietnamese national wanted for murdering two teenagers, several child sexual predators, and individuals convicted of rape and domestic violence.
“We took a lot of bad people off the street that day,” Homan said, describing the enforcement actions as “targeted enforcement operations” rather than random sweeps.
Protesters gathered during the operations and blocked ICE agents from safely leaving with arrestees and evidence, according to Homan. He said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass instructed police to “stand down” when federal agents requested assistance.
The border czar clarified recent comments about potential prosecutions of state and local officials who interfere with ICE operations, saying his remarks were taken out of context.
He said no specific threats were made against California Gov. Gavin Newsom or other officials, but said that “no one is above the law” if they cross legal boundaries.
“If he crosses that line of impeding ICE enforcement efforts, if he aids and abets or harbors or conceals, that’s a crime,” Homan said of any official who might interfere with federal operations.
Homan rejected the term “raids” to describe ICE operations, saying agents conduct “targeted enforcement operations” with specific fugitive operational sheets identifying targets, their immigration histories and criminal backgrounds.
“We’re not going on the streets looking for people different than us,” he said. “We’re targeting enforcement operations.”
The border czar said ICE is enforcing removal orders issued by federal judges for approximately 1.4 million people who have exhausted due process in immigration courts. He argued that failure to execute these orders sends a message encouraging more illegal border crossings.
“There has to be consequences for violating our laws,” Homan said, directing critics to “protest Congress” rather than ICE agents who are implementing laws enacted by lawmakers.
Homan said enforcement operations will continue uninterrupted despite the Los Angeles protests, saying that peaceful demonstration is a First Amendment right but warning against violence or interference with federal officers.
“You can protest, but do not put hands on an ICE officer. Do not throw Molotov cocktails,” he said. “Don’t destroy what the taxpayers paid for.”
The border czar described ICE officers as “mothers and fathers” who are not “terrorists” or “racists” as some protest signs suggest, saying they witness difficult situations while enforcing immigration law.
Trump’s deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles without state consent has drawn criticism from California officials and renewed questions about the limits of presidential authority to use military forces for domestic law enforcement.
