Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire with a net worth of $3.7 billion, has recently found himself at odds with Tom Homan on the subject of immigration enforcement. Pritzker, who spent $352 million out of his own pocket to secure his two-term gubernatorial position, now faces off against Homan, known for his tough stance on immigration. Before joining the Immigration and Nationalization Service in 1984, Homan served as a police officer in West Carthage, New York. During the Obama administration in 2013, Homan was appointed as the executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Homan’s strategy, as shared in an interview with the New York Post, explains the military’s potential administrative role in deportations, drawing significant attention from media and advocacy groups. The military would facilitate travel arrangements for deportees, allowing more ICE agents to focus on apprehending criminal aliens. Presently, many ICE officers and border patrol agents are engaged in processing and releasing numerous undocumented immigrants, leaving 60-70% desk-bound and unproductive. Homan criticizes the Biden administration for allowing criminals like Venezuelan gang-member Jose Ibarra to remain unchecked.
Governor Pritzker voices his reservations about deploying the military within U.S. borders for immigration enforcement, suggesting such actions may be unconstitutional. However, Homan counters that federal laws, particularly those regarding the harboring and assisting of illegal immigrants, make Pritzker’s stance potentially illegal. The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which holds federal law above state law, could present a formidable challenge to Pritzker’s view.
In response to Pritzker’s challenge, Homan is unwavering, asserting that ICE will continue its duties without apology, regardless of gubernatorial opposition. This comes in the wake of a significant electoral shift towards tougher immigration policies, reflecting growing public support for deportations.
Illinois has been heavily impacted by the arrival of 50,000 illegal immigrants since August 2022, with taxpayers footing a $1 billion bill for their upkeep. Chicago’s local communities have expressed frustration over the city’s perceived favoritism towards undocumented immigrants, with Mayor Brandon Johnson spending over $400 million in recent years. Additional concerns have been raised by a congressional report highlighting the presence of Jihadists and the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, within the state. Homan insists that his deportation plans prioritize public safety, urging governors who disagree with his methods to consider resignation.
For Pritzker, challenging Homan could backfire and undermine his political ambitions, especially if he hopes to be a Democratic contender in the 2028 presidential race. Prioritizing cooperation over confrontation might serve him better in achieving his political goals.
