Tom Homan says 'Catholic Church is wrong' for opposing Trump’s mass deportation crackdown

WASHINGTON, DC: US border czar Tom Homan has taken aim at the Catholic Church after top American bishops denounced President Donald Trump’s sweeping deportation plans in a rare public rebuke earlier this week. 

The bishops, currently gathered in Baltimore for the Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a strongly worded statement condemning what they described as “indiscriminate mass deportations of people” and calling for compassionate immigration reform.

But on Friday, Homan, who has been tasked with executing Trump’s mass removal operation, delivered a fiery response outside the White House, insisting that the Church’s criticism was misguided and out of touch.

Tom Homan says Catholic Church is 'wrong' for opposing deportation crackdown

Homan, known for his uncompromising stance on border enforcement, did not hesitate to reject the bishops’ concerns.

“The Catholic Church is wrong, I’m sorry,” he said bluntly, adding that he was speaking “not only as the border czar” but also “as a Catholic.”

The lifelong Catholic argued that the bishops were undermining the administration’s efforts by reinforcing messaging that encourages more illegal crossings. According to Homan, Church leaders were failing to recognize the lives saved by strict enforcement.

“We’re going to enforce the law and by doing that we save a lot of lives,” he said. “I wish the Catholic Church would understand that.”

Bishops warn of humanitarian consequences and call for reform

The bishops’ statement, released earlier in the week, stressed that Catholic doctrine has long upheld the dignity of migrants, refugees and displaced families.

They emphasized that “human dignity and national security are not in conflict,” urging lawmakers and policymakers to work toward comprehensive and humane immigration reform. They also prayed “for an end to dehumanising rhetoric and violence,” highlighting their growing concern over the rhetoric surrounding Trump’s removal operations.

The bishops warned that mass deportations could severely impact pastoral outreach, charitable services and Catholic community programs that serve immigrant populations nationwide.

Tom Homan fires back, says bishops should focus on internal issues

Homan escalated his criticism by claiming the Church should shift its focus inward.

“I think they need to spend time fixing the Catholic Church,” he said, suggesting the bishops were “sending the wrong message” by publicly challenging the administration’s tactics.

He insisted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), operating under his guidance, was sending a message to the whole world that entering the United States illegally would no longer be tolerated.

Tom Homan maintains deportations will move forward despite pushback

Despite the bishops’ rare united front, Homan remained defiant, repeatedly stating that the law would be enforced regardless of criticism from religious leaders.

He further argued that the Trump administration’s policies would deter dangerous journeys and reduce the number of migrants exploited by smugglers.

As the Church continues its discussions in Baltimore, and the White House presses forward with its mass deportation strategy, the clash between moral doctrine and enforcement policy appears poised to intensify in the weeks ahead.