Tom Homan, the administration's immigration "czar," sharply criticized the Catholic Church for opposing mass deportations, saying that stance undercuts enforcement and "costs lives." Speaking at the White House, Homan — who described himself as a lifelong Catholic — urged the church to address internal issues and defended strict ICE enforcement as a way to reduce cartel-driven migrant deaths and fentanyl trafficking. He declared that a "secure border saves lives" and said the U.S. now has its most secure border due to tougher policies.
Border 'Czar' Tom Homan Rebukes Catholic Church: "A Secure Border Saves Lives"
Tom Homan, the administration's immigration "czar," sharply criticized the Catholic Church for opposing mass deportations, saying that stance undercuts enforcement and "costs lives." Speaking at the White House, Homan — who described himself as a lifelong Catholic — urged the church to address internal issues and defended strict ICE enforcement as a way to reduce cartel-driven migrant deaths and fentanyl trafficking. He declared that a "secure border saves lives" and said the U.S. now has its most secure border due to tougher policies.
12:10 PM, 11/16/2025Politics
Tom Homan Criticizes Catholic Church, Defends Tough Border Policies
Tom Homan, the administration's immigration "czar," publicly criticized the Catholic Church on Friday, arguing that the church's opposition to mass deportations undermines U.S. law enforcement and endangers lives. Homan delivered the remarks at the White House when reporters asked about a recent statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"The Catholic Church is wrong," Homan said. "I’m sorry. I’m a lifelong Catholic. I’m saying it not only as a border czar — I’ll say it as a Catholic. They need to spend time fixing the Catholic Church, in my opinion."
The bishops had criticized the administration’s immigration crackdown, warning of what they described as "a climate of fear and anxiety" around enforcement, according to Reuters. Homan pushed back, accusing church leaders of hypocrisy and urging them to address problems within their own institution.
Homan contrasted enforcement at U.S. borders with security at Vatican properties, saying the Vatican imposes strict penalties for trespassing and suggesting religious institutions have the same right to secure their grounds as the United States does to secure its borders.
"So, according to them, the message we should send to the whole world is that if you cross the border illegally, which is a crime, don’t worry about it," Homan said. "If you get ordered removed by a federal judge after due process, don’t worry about us, because there should not be mass deportations. Is that the message you send to the whole world?"
Homan defended the administration’s approach as necessary to protect lives. He argued that migrants often rely on violent cartels to cross the border in dangerous conditions and cited claims that more than 4,000 migrants have died on smuggling routes, while fentanyl trafficked across the border has contributed to thousands of American deaths.
"Secure border saves lives. I wish the Catholic Church would understand that," he said, adding that strict enforcement by ICE has, in his view, made the U.S. "the most secure border in the history of this nation."
Observers note that views about immigration enforcement and the role of religious institutions vary widely. The bishops and other faith leaders emphasize humanitarian concerns and pastoral care for migrants, while administration officials prioritize deterrence and enforcement as means to reduce criminal smuggling and drug trafficking. The exchange highlights an ongoing national debate over immigration policy, public safety and moral responsibility.