Border Czar Tom Homan defended current ICE enforcement priorities Monday, arguing that the agency’s detention numbers show a continued focus on individuals connected to criminal activity.
Speaking on Newsmax TV’s “Carl Higbie Frontline,” Homan addressed criticism surrounding immigration enforcement and explained how the administration evaluates outcomes.
According to Homan, approximately 64% of ICE apprehensions currently involve individuals who either have a criminal conviction or pending criminal charges. He noted that the figure had previously been closer to 70%, but argued the current numbers still reflect effective prioritization.
“It was about 70%. Right now, I think we’re about 64%. But you know what? That’s a good number,” Homan said.
He explained that the administration defines criminal cases as individuals with convictions or pending charges and noted that many of those cases originate from people already being held in local custody.
Homan also pushed back on arguments that enforcement should immediately target every possible case equally, instead emphasizing what he described as maintaining a workable balance.
He stated that even a breakdown of roughly 60% criminal cases and 40% non-criminal cases would remain a positive outcome from an enforcement perspective.
“I think 60% criminal, 40% non-criminal is a good mix,” Homan said, adding that he would prefer that ratio over the reverse.
The comments reflect a broader argument from supporters of stricter immigration enforcement: prioritize resources where officials believe they have the greatest public safety impact first, rather than attempting to do everything at once—which, as government has demonstrated from time to time, is usually easier to announce than to execute.
As immigration remains a major political issue, officials appear focused on presenting enforcement numbers as evidence that current priorities are producing measurable results while keeping broader operations active.
For supporters, the message is straightforward: maintain pressure, stay focused, and keep moving forward.
