Top Points:
Urgent Need for Congressional Action: Tom Homan stressed the critical need for Congress to pass comprehensive legislation to secure the southern border, addressing issues like illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling that threaten American communities.
Impact of Current Policies on National Security and Public Safety: Homan highlighted how the current administration's lax border policies have led to surges in illegal crossings, empowered cartels, and worsened the opioid crisis with the influx of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs.
Call for Comprehensive Border Reform: Homan urged for an all-encompassing legislative package rather than piecemeal solutions, arguing that a decisive, unified approach is necessary to empower law enforcement and ensure both national security and an orderly immigration process.
Full Report:
At the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and now President Trump's new 'Border czar' Tom Homan delivered a powerful speech urging Congress to pass legislation that would finally secure America’s southern border. Homan's call to action emphasized the critical need for a robust approach to border security to address the issues of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling, which he argued are putting American communities at risk.
Homan outlined his concerns regarding the Biden administration's border policies, highlighting how they have led to unprecedented surges in illegal crossings and overstretched federal resources. According to Homan, the administration’s lack of enforcement and failure to prioritize border security has emboldened cartels and traffickers, worsening an already volatile situation.
“Congress needs to step up and act now. We cannot continue to leave our border vulnerable to criminals and smugglers who don’t care about the lives they’re destroying,” Homan stated, addressing the crowded CPAC audience. He urged lawmakers to implement a comprehensive plan that would include increased funding for border patrol agents, stricter penalties for illegal crossings, and greater collaboration with state governments to prevent the flow of illegal substances and trafficking operations.
During his speech, Homan painted a grim picture of how communities across the nation have been affected by lax border enforcement. He pointed to the opioid crisis, which he argued is exacerbated by fentanyl and other dangerous drugs being smuggled across the southern border in large quantities. “The drugs pouring into our country are not only killing our citizens; they’re also fueling crime and violence,” he said. “We have the power to stop this, but we need Congress to pass laws that will empower law enforcement to do their jobs effectively.”
Homan also criticized the Biden administration’s handling of immigration, arguing that current policies incentivize illegal immigration, creating dangerous journeys for migrants and overwhelming U.S. resources. He insisted that reform must address both security measures and the legal processes surrounding immigration, ensuring that individuals entering the United States follow lawful protocols.
While some members of Congress have advocated for border reforms, Homan argued that piecemeal solutions would be insufficient. Instead, he called for a decisive, all-encompassing legislative package that would address all aspects of border security. He encouraged the American public to put pressure on their representatives to make securing the border a priority, emphasizing that border security is crucial for national security.
Homan’s remarks received widespread support from attendees at CPAC, many of whom view border security as a critical issue heading into the 2024 elections. Homan ended his speech by warning about the consequences of continued inaction, stating, “Every day Congress delays, more Americans are put at risk. This cannot continue.”
References:
Homan, T. (2024). Speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference.