White House border official Tom Homan urged Democratic politicians in San Diego to stop publicly attacking ICE and Border Patrol agents, arguing that such rhetoric endangers officers. He said border crossings have fallen to a 50-year low during President Trump’s first year back and referenced past agent fatalities, noting no reported agent deaths in 2025 as of reporting. Homan, who joined ICE in 1984, called agents "patriots" and said enforcement will continue to prioritize public-safety and national-security threats.
Tom Homan Urges Democrats To Stop 'Demonizing' ICE Agents: "I Don't Want To Bury Anybody Else"
White House border official Tom Homan appealed to Democratic politicians on Saturday to stop publicly criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents, arguing that political rhetoric increases safety risks for officers performing dangerous work.
Speaking at a press conference in San Diego, Homan said enforcement efforts are being undermined even as he maintained that border crossings have fallen to a 50-year low during President Donald Trump’s first year back in office. He urged elected officials to be more cautious in their public remarks about officers in the field.
“I’m begging the politicians, the governors and mayors who constantly attack these men and women, please stop,” Homan said. “I don’t wanna bury anybody else. It’s not a joke, we’re out there enforcing laws.”
Homan did not name individuals at the event, but recent high-profile criticisms from Democratic leaders were noted in the wider debate. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker compared ICE raids to Nazi-era roundups in October, saying, “This is how authoritarian regimes do it.” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and New York politician Zohran Mamdani have also publicly criticized aggressive immigration enforcement; Mamdani recently circulated a video advising New Yorkers how to respond to ICE encounters.
Homan referenced officer fatalities in previous years while noting that, based on news reports, no ICE or Border Patrol agents had been reported killed in 2025 as of publication. He cited a Cato Institute tally that recorded 15 agent deaths in 2021 — the highest annual total since 2003 — and reflected on his long career.
“I go to bed every night and pray that no one dies during these operations, no one dies on the border. I’ve seen too much death,” Homan said, noting he joined ICE in 1984. “And for those who don’t like me, wear my shoes for four years.”
He described ICE and Border Patrol officers as “patriots” who take personal risks to protect public safety, and said the agencies are prioritizing threats to national security and public safety despite media criticism.
“We will not rest until we make sure every public safety threat, every illegal alien, is removed. That’s the priority. But if you’re in the country illegally, you are not off the table,” Homan added.
The remarks were widely covered by national outlets and underscore ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement officials and some Democratic leaders who have called for limits or reforms to ICE operations. Video of Homan’s comments was broadcast by Fox News and other outlets.
