Tom Homan admits he hasn't seen fatal Houston ICE shooting video as he defends agents
WASHINGTON, DC: Trump administration border czar Tom Homan acknowledged Sunday, July 19, that he has not personally watched publicly available footage from a fatal ICE shooting in Houston, even as he defended the agency's conduct during a tense interview on CBS News' Face the Nation.
Pressed over the deaths of two immigrants in separate ICE-related shootings in Texas and Maine, Homan insisted federal agents are equipped with emergency lights but conceded that if officers failed to activate them during the Houston operation, "then there's an issue there." His remarks come as multiple investigations into recent fatal ICE encounters remain ongoing.
Brennan presses Tom Homan over Houston ICE shooting video
During the interview, moderator Margaret Brennan challenged Homan over the Houston shooting, noting that publicly available videos appeared to show an unmarked vehicle pursuing the man before the fatal encounter.
Homan initially maintained that ICE vehicles are equipped with emergency lights and sirens, arguing agents identify themselves during enforcement operations. But when Brennan asked whether he had personally seen video showing the lights activated, Homan acknowledged he had not.
"I have not seen the videos," he said. "If they didn't activate the lights... then there's an issue there." He added that while ICE vehicles are equipped with emergency lights, he could not confirm whether they had been used in the incident under investigation.
Border czar Tom Homan defends ICE
Despite his admission, Homan defended ICE's broader enforcement practices and urged the public to comply with federal officers during vehicle stops.
He argued that mistaken identity is not unique to immigration enforcement and occurs across law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Referring to the Houston incident, Homan said those involved "would be alive today if they simply complied with a vehicle stop by federal law enforcement," while stressing that investigations should determine exactly what occurred before conclusions are drawn.
Body cameras remain central issue
The exchange also renewed attention on ICE's lack of body cameras during several recent enforcement operations.
Homan said he supports equipping all ICE officers with body cameras, arguing they help show exactly what agents see and often exonerate officers accused of misconduct. He blamed delays on congressional funding disputes but said the cameras have now been purchased and training is underway before nationwide deployment.
The comments come as the Trump administration faces growing scrutiny over ICE operations following multiple fatal incidents, with investigators continuing to examine whether agency procedures were followed in the Houston and Maine cases.
