Tom Homan defends masked ICE agents, cites 8,000% threat surge
WASHINGTON, DC: Border Czar Tom Homan said on Sunday, February 15, that federal immigration agents are wearing masks during enforcement operations in a response to a reported sharp rise in threats and assaults against officers, defending the practice amid mounting political scrutiny.
Speaking on Face the Nation, Homan argued that officer safety concerns, including what he described as an “over 8000%” increase in assaults, have necessitated additional protective measures.
His remarks come as lawmakers weigh proposed conditions tied to Department of Homeland Security funding that would alter how ICE conducts operations.
Officer safety, masks and warrant authority
Speaking with CBS News, Homan said he is not directly involved in the ongoing negotiations but described several of the proposed conditions as “unreasonable.”
Addressing accusations of racial profiling, he said, “That's just not occurring,” adding that ICE agents rely on “reasonable suspicion” during brief detentions and questioning, rather than race.
Homan acknowledged public concern over agents wearing masks during enforcement operations, stating, “I don't like the masks either.” However, he attributed the practice to what he described as a sharp rise in threats against federal officers.
According to Homan, assaults and threats against ICE personnel have increased “over 8000%,” while overall threats are up more than 1500%. He referenced incidents in which the ICE director’s family members were filmed and doxxed, saying, “the masks right now are for officer safety reasons.”
He added that agents wear visible badges and identify themselves with agency markings, including US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On the issue of warrants, Homan said ICE operates under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows administrative warrants authorized by statute. “If Congress wants that change, then Congress can legislate,” he said, maintaining that the agency acts “within the framework of federal statutes enacted by Congress and signed by a president.”
Addressing concerns about warrants, he said ICE operates under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes administrative warrants by statute.
“If Congress wants that change, then Congress can legislate,” Homan said, adding that the agency functions “within the framework of federal statutes enacted by United States Congress and signed by a president.”
Minnesota operation and internal investigations
Homan also discussed the scaling back of “Metro Surge,” a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota.
He described it as the biggest deployment of federal immigration agents in department history, saying more than 1,000 individuals had been removed, with several hundred additional removals expected before the operation returns to its original footprint.
He said fraud investigators and agents reviewing a church-related incident would remain in place, along with a limited security presence to respond to potential confrontations.
Homan noted that additional internal affairs personnel had been deployed to Minnesota to investigate complaints, stating, “People will be held accountable and they'll be fully investigated.” Some cases, he added, are also under review by the FBI, with possible disciplinary action or prosecutions depending on the findings.
Responding to questions about reported tensions within the Department of Homeland Security, Homan referred to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and adviser Corey Lewandowski, saying differences are resolved through daily discussions. “It's one team, one fight,” he said, adding that while views may differ, “we all come to agreement in the end.”
