'We're enforcing law': Tom Homan blasts Zohran Mamdani for calling ICE a 'rogue agency'

WASHINGTON, DC: White House "border czar" and former acting director of ICE Tom Homan launched a sharp defense of immigration enforcement under Presdient Donald Trump, taking direct aim at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other Democratic leaders during a fiery Fox News appearance.

Speaking during the interview, Homan pushed back against criticism of ICE operations, arguing that the laws being enforced today are no different from those under previous administrations but claimed enforcement itself had changed.

Tom Homan says same immigration laws were in place before but enforcement wasn't allowed

Homan made it clear that, in his view, the issue is not about new policies but about how existing ones are being applied.

“Let me remind Mamdani and the rest of these out-of-control Democratic governors, mayors, members of Congress, the same laws were in place today that were in place under Obama, that were in place under Joe Biden. The laws haven't changed!” he said.

He went on to argue that earlier administrations did not fully enforce those laws, contrasting that with the current approach under Trump.

“The difference is we weren't allowed to enforce the laws under those presidents. But guess what? President Trump's back in the Oval Office. We're not making this up!” Homan added.

Tom Homan doubles down on ICE role amid criticism from Zohran Mamdani

Homan also addressed criticism coming from Mamdani, who recently described ICE as a “rogue agency” and said it should be abolished. 

Without holding back, Homan defended the agency’s work and made it clear that enforcement would continue regardless of political opposition.

“We're enforcing law. You don't like it? Change the law. Until then, we're going to enforce the law and keep this country safe again,” he said.

Homan's comments suggest a widening divide between federal enforcement officials and some local leaders, particularly in major cities like New York. The tone of his response made it clear that he sees criticism of ICE not just as political disagreement, but as resistance to law enforcement itself.

Richard Williams' case adds fuel to the immigration debate

The exchange comes amid heightened tensions following a tragic case in New York involving 83-year-old Air Force veteran Richard Williams.

Williams, described as a grandfather and cancer survivor, died after being shoved onto subway tracks. The suspect in the case, Bairon Posada-Hernandez, identified as an illegal migrant from Honduras with a lengthy criminal history, has been charged with murder.

The incident has intensified debates around immigration enforcement and public safety, with critics questioning local leadership responses. Mamdani, who has been outspoken about ICE, faced criticism for not addressing the case directly while continuing to speak against the agency.

As the debate continued, Homan pointed to past enforcement actions in New York to underline his argument.

“In New York, it's the same thing. When I was ICE director, we took over 5,000 criminals off the street in New York, the men and women of ICE. Again, Mayor Mamdani, you're welcome!” he said.