Brennan Questions Homan on Trump Administration’s Mass Deportation Plans

CBS News’ Margaret Brennan engaged in a heated discussion with President-elect Donald Trump’s newly appointed border czar, Tom Homan, about the administration’s plans for mass deportations during an appearance on Face the Nation on Sunday.

The exchange centered on Trump’s promise to launch the largest deportation operation in U.S. history and the logistics of such an undertaking.

Brennan pressed Homan, the former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), for specifics on what the administration would consider a successful deportation plan. Homan initially redirected the conversation to the Biden administration, criticizing their approach to immigration enforcement.

According to Homan, 80% of deportations under Biden stemmed from Border Patrol arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border, not from interior enforcement. He accused the current administration of "playing a numbers game" to inflate deportation statistics.

Brennan countered by pointing out that Biden’s deportation numbers are still higher than those under Trump’s first term, challenging Homan on whether the new administration’s success would hinge on targeting individuals already residing within the United States.

Homan responded by emphasizing that lower deportation numbers during Trump’s presidency were a result of a 45-year low in illegal crossings, which reduced the pool of individuals eligible for deportation.

As Brennan continued to push for specifics, she asked what the Trump administration’s benchmark for success would be on its first day in office.

Homan did not provide a clear metric but reiterated Trump’s focus on deporting individuals deemed public safety threats, particularly migrants who have committed crimes or pose national security risks.

Despite the lack of concrete plans, Trump has hinted at using the U.S. military to carry out mass deportations, a move that immigration advocates warn would be costly and potentially damaging to the country’s reputation.

Homan said that the administration’s priority would be addressing public safety concerns, citing violent crimes allegedly committed by gang members from Venezuela. He stressed that these individuals would be a primary focus starting on day one.

Brennan also questioned the feasibility of deporting millions of people, particularly in cases where foreign governments might refuse to accept deportees. Homan suggested that Trump would work with countries like Venezuela, similar to how his first administration negotiated with Mexico and El Salvador, to secure their cooperation.

However, he added that individuals could still be deported to other countries if their home nations refused to take them back. “We have to put the safety of the American people first,” Homan stated, referencing violent crimes he attributed to Venezuelan gangs.

The conversation turned to sanctuary cities, which Homan criticized for refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

He argued that such policies endanger communities by providing safe havens for criminals. He also blamed Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for what he described as a lack of adequate enforcement during the Biden administration.

Brennan concluded the interview by acknowledging the lack of detailed plans for Trump’s proposed mass deportations and stating that Americans would be waiting for further specifics.

The discussion highlighted both the ambitious nature of Trump’s immigration agenda and the significant logistical and political hurdles it faces. As the new administration prepares to take office, questions remain about how these plans will unfold and their potential impact on the country.