Trump border czar Tom Homan is making it crystal clear that sanctuary policies will not stop the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts — they’ll only bring more federal agents into Democrat-run cities.
Speaking at a border security conference in Arizona, Homan warned that if New York moves forward with legislation limiting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal government will respond by dramatically increasing ICE operations across the state. 
“We’re going to flood the zone,” Homan said. “You’re going to see more ICE agents than you’ve ever seen before.” 
The warning was directed squarely at New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers backing the proposed “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act,” which would further restrict cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities. The proposal would reportedly block local participation in 287(g) agreements, which allow local law enforcement agencies to work directly with ICE on immigration enforcement. 
Homan argued that sanctuary policies make communities less safe because ICE agents are forced to locate illegal immigrants in neighborhoods and workplaces instead of safely taking custody of them in local jails.
“You’ll see collateral arrests increase in these areas,” Homan warned. “You’ll see more agents in your neighborhood.” 
Hochul pushed back against the comments, saying President Donald Trump had previously indicated New York would not receive a surge of ICE agents unless she requested it.
“I’m not asking,” Hochul responded. 
Still, Homan and the Trump administration have made sanctuary cities a major target of their immigration agenda, arguing that Democrat-led states are shielding illegal immigrants from federal law enforcement while placing American communities at risk. Recent clashes surrounding ICE operations in New York, including protests outside hospitals and criticism from local officials, have only intensified the standoff. 
Supporters of the administration say the message is simple: if local governments refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement, the federal government will step in directly. Critics call it aggressive. Trump supporters call it enforcing the law — something many Americans believe should have happened years ago.
With the immigration debate becoming one of the defining political battles in the country, the showdown between Homan and New York leaders is quickly turning into another major test of how far sanctuary states are willing to go to resist federal enforcement efforts.