Trump’s Border Czar Threatens Boston Over Immigration Policies

BOSTON, Mass. — Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s newly appointed border czar, issued a stark warning to Boston this weekend during his address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C. Homan, who served as the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), denounced the city’s police chief for his refusal to cooperate with immigration enforcement efforts.

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Addressing the crowd on Saturday, Homan criticized Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, saying, “You said you’d double down on not helping the law enforcement office of ICE. I’m coming to Boston, and I’m bringing hell with me.” His comments elicited applause from the audience, reflecting the contentious atmosphere surrounding immigration issues.

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Homan’s remarks follow Commissioner Cox’s statement that, due to state and local laws, the Boston Police Department will not assist ICE in enforcing civil detainers related to immigration matters. “What people don’t understand is that there is a difference between criminal warrants and civil detainers,” Cox explained. “Any criminal warrant is someone wanted outside the state, and if there is a warrant involved, we will absolutely enforce it. But civil detainers are the defining line, and we just don’t do that because it’s immigration related.”

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In response to Homan’s threats, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu took to social media to assert the city’s commitment to its immigrant communities. “This is our city. We’re going to continue following & enforcing the laws to keep all Bostonians safe,” Wu wrote. “And it goes without saying that our police commissioner has my complete confidence & support.”

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The conflict highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration policies and local sanctuary laws. Homan’s comments suggest frustration with Boston’s designation as a sanctuary city, a status that has drawn criticism from conservative factions within the Trump administration.

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The Rev. Annie Gonzalez, a volunteer leader with the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network, expressed concern about the impact of Homan’s rhetoric on the city’s immigrant communities. “They’re trying to create fear everywhere they can,” Gonzalez said. “It’s so heartbreaking because people shouldn’t have to be afraid to leave their homes or go to work.”

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Cox has asserted that his department will prioritize public safety without considering individuals’ immigration status. This stance aligns with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling that local law enforcement cannot hold individuals based solely on civil immigration detainers.

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As tensions rise, Wu is expected to testify before a congressional committee next month regarding the implications of sanctuary city policies. The upcoming hearing could further illuminate the divide between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement practices.

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Homan’s comments come amid a backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has consistently sought to curb undocumented immigration. Homan, who has a history of leading ICE operations, emphasized that many dangerous immigrants have been released due to local non-compliance with ICE detainers.

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In his speech, Homan also contended that the Biden administration’s approach to immigration enforcement has left the border unsecured, highlighting a longstanding political debate over immigration policy in the United States. “For four years, I wake up every day pissed off because the Biden administration took the most secure border in my lifetime and unsecured it on purpose,” he said.

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This public spat over immigration policy illustrates the complexities and challenges facing cities like Boston as they navigate federal demands while striving to maintain community trust and safety. With both Homan and Cox refusing to back down, the brewing conflict points to a larger national struggle over immigration enforcement and local jurisdiction.