President-elect Trump has chosen Stephen Miller and Thomas Homan for key roles in his administration. Miller will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and will also be the president’s homeland security advisor. Homan has been appointed Border Czar, a position that does not require approval from Congress. Both Miller and Homan are strong supporters of Trump’s immigration policies.
Miller was a major advisor to Trump during his first term and helped design many of Trump’s immigration policies from 2017 to 2021. This includes the controversial “zero-tolerance” policy, which led to separating children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. After Trump’s presidency, Miller helped create America First Legal, a group that has filed hundreds of lawsuits against President Biden’s policies.
Homan is a former Border Patrol chief and was acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term. As Border Czar, Homan will oversee U.S. borders, as well as security for the country’s ports, airports, and waterways. He will also manage the deportation of people living in the U.S. without legal status. Homan was also a key person behind the zero-tolerance policy, which led to the separation of more than 5,500 children from their families in 2018. As of April 2024, 1,401 children are still waiting to be reunited with their parents. A court agreement now prevents families from being separated until at least December 2031. It’s unclear whether Miller and Homan’s leadership will bring back similar policies, but the Trump administration seems focused on preparing for major changes.
Trump has often said he plans to carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. It is estimated that about 11 million people are living in the U.S. without legal status. However, the exact details of how this will happen are still unknown.
As always, we actively monitor ongoing news related to U.S. immigration. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration-related issue, contact us. Our clients work directly with an attorney every step of the way to ensure they get expert guidance for their specific situation.