Tom Homan says the days of quietly tolerating confrontations with immigration activists are over.
Speaking to reporters outside an ICE detention facility in San Recto, California, Homan delivered a forceful warning to activists who attempt to interfere with federal immigration operations, along with politicians he says continue to encourage them.
“Today we are taking our gloves off,” Homan said. “No more walking on eggshells with these crazies.”
Homan said federal officers have been given clear instructions when dealing with people who attempt to interfere with investigations conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to Homan, protesting is one thing, but interfering with federal officers is another.
“Try to interfere with any investigations by either CBP or ICE and you will be held and charged,” he said.
The comments came as tensions between immigration activists and federal authorities continue to dominate political arguments over border enforcement. Homan said officers should not have to worry about activists disrupting operations or creating situations that could put federal personnel at risk.
He reserved some of his harshest criticism for activists who arrive with cameras and media crews.
“The next crazy with a camera crew who comes along and endangers my men will be locked up in a cell,” Homan said.
Homan argued that federal agents should be allowed to conduct investigations without being surrounded, followed or physically obstructed.
He also pushed back against the idea that political activism gives someone permission to interfere with law enforcement.
“You can disagree with us,” Homan said. “You can protest us. You can criticize everything we do. That’s part of the country we live in. But you don’t get to interfere with an investigation.”
The border official also criticized politicians who support aggressive demonstrations against immigration officers.
Homan said political leaders need to understand that their words can have consequences when activists interpret them as encouragement to confront federal agents.
“Some politicians think this is a game,” Homan said. “It’s not a game when my officers are out there doing their jobs.”
He said his primary responsibility is to protect the men and women working for federal immigration agencies.
“They go to work every day knowing there are risks,” Homan said. “The last thing they need is someone showing up with a camera crew trying to create a confrontation.”
The remarks quickly generated attention, with supporters praising Homan for taking a harder line against interference while critics argued that the language could further inflame tensions between federal authorities and immigration activists.
Homan did not appear concerned about either reaction.
He said federal officers would continue following the law and would take action when people crossed the line into obstruction.
“We’ve tried being polite,” Homan said. “We’ve tried explaining it. We’ve tried giving people the benefit of the doubt.”
He then made clear that he believes those days are finished.
“Today we are taking our gloves off,” Homan repeated.
The message was directed at activists, politicians and anyone else considering confronting federal immigration officers: protest if you want, Homan said, but do not interfere with the work being carried out by CBP or ICE.
For Homan, the distinction is straightforward.
“Do your protest,” he said. “Say what you want. But stay out of the investigation.”
And this time, he made clear, officers would be ready to enforce that line.
