Homan: 40% of Those Arrested by ICE Are Not Public Safety or National Security Threats

Border Czar Tom Homan said Tuesday that 40% of the people being arrested by immigration authorities are not public safety threats or national security threats — a striking admission that underscores the administration’s broad enforcement approach.

In an interview on Newsmax TV’s “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” Homan said current arrest numbers show about 60% of those detained have criminal records, while the remaining 40% do not fall into those threat categories.

“Look, if they’re in the United States illegally, they should be worried, because we’re looking for them,” Homan said. “The numbers right now are running around 60% criminal and 40% non-criminal. We’re looking for them.”

Homan’s remarks come as the Trump administration continues to defend its immigration crackdown, which has faced criticism from advocates who argue that targeting people without criminal records goes beyond the stated priority of removing public safety and national security risks.

“President Trump said he wants a priority on public safety threats, national security threats,” Homan acknowledged. “But, as I said from the beginning, that doesn’t mean everybody else is off the table.”

He repeated the statistic for emphasis: “40% of everybody we’re arresting is not a public safety threat and not a national security threat. So, if you’re in the country illegally, you should be looking over your shoulder.”

The comment is likely to fuel ongoing debate over the scope of immigration enforcement, with supporters arguing that illegal presence alone justifies arrest and removal, while opponents contend that resources should focus on the most serious offenders.

Homan did not provide specific numbers or a timeframe for the 60/40 split, but his characterization aligns with Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security statements indicating that enforcement actions have expanded beyond recent arrivals and convicted criminals to include those with final removal orders, immigration judges’ decisions, or who have previously been deported.

The administration has repeatedly pushed back on the notion that its policies are solely aimed at dangerous criminals. Instead, officials have emphasized that the law requires the removal of all who are in the country without legal status, even if those with criminal histories are prioritized.

Critics of the administration, including immigrant rights groups and some Democratic lawmakers, have seized on such admissions to argue that the enforcement dragnet is unnecessarily broad and is separating families and disrupting communities. They point to cases of U.S. citizens being briefly detained or of long-term residents with no criminal record being placed in removal proceedings.

White House officials and Homan have responded that immigration laws are clear and that any illegal presence is a violation that can lead to arrest and deportation.

Homan’s appearance on Newsmax was part of a media blitz aimed at reassuring the public and Republican supporters that the administration is fulfilling its promise to crack down on illegal immigration. At the same time, he has warned that enforcement will not be limited to the most dangerous individuals, and that those in the country unlawfully should expect to be apprehended.

“We are looking for them,” Homan said, referring to all those in the country illegally.

The Border Czar’s comments come amid ongoing reports of high-profile arrests and workplace raids, as well as legal challenges from states and cities that have sought to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Homan, who previously served as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Trump, has been a vocal supporter of aggressive enforcement measures. He has often said that illegal entry itself is a crime and that the government has the authority to arrest anyone who is in the country without authorization.

Still, his on-air admission that a large share of those being arrested have no criminal background may complicate the administration’s messaging efforts, since Trump has frequently characterized the operation as targeting “criminals” and “gang members.”

In recent weeks, administration officials have used statistics showing that a majority of those arrested have criminal convictions to argue that they are focusing on dangerous individuals. But the 40% figure Homan described is rarely highlighted in official statements.

Immigration enforcement data and reporting by various outlets have documented that ICE arrests often include individuals with no criminal record but who were caught up in worksite operations or who had final orders of removal for previous immigration violations.

The New York Times and other outlets have reported that the administration has broadened enforcement priorities beyond the “severe criminals” that Trump initially promised to target, moving toward a policy of arresting any removable immigrant encountered.

Homan’s interview did not include details on the types of non-criminal offenders being arrested — for example, whether they include visa overstays, those who entered without inspection, or those with pending asylum claims that were denied.

However, his insistence that everyone in the country illegally should “be worried” leaves little doubt that the administration intends to continue widespread enforcement.

“I’ve said from the beginning that this isn’t just about removing the worst of the worst,” Homan said. “We are going to enforce the law.”

The remarks are likely to be cited in the coming days by both supporters who applaud the tough stance and opponents who argue that such broad arrests are unnecessary and costly.

As the political and legal battle over immigration continues, Homan’s statement provides yet another flashpoint in the national conversation about who the government should be detaining and deporting.

Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/09/09/homan-40-of-people-were-arresting-not-a-public-safety-threat-and-not-a-national-security-threat/