CHICAGO (WLS) – Tom Homan, appointed as the incoming border czar, visited Portage Park on Monday, sharply criticizing both Chicago’s mayor and Illinois’ governor over their opposition to his plans for mass deportations.
Homan, tasked with enforcing President-elect Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, reiterated his strategy for mass deportations, beginning with Chicago.
“All that starts January 21, and we’re going to start right here in Chicago, Illinois,” Homan declared.
The announcement was met with cheers from a Republican-leaning crowd in one of Chicago’s most conservative neighborhoods. Chicago GOP Chairman Chuck Hernandez voiced his support, saying, “People need to know this is a country with laws, and we’re going to have order.”
Since August 2022, more than 50,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago, straining the city’s resources and causing frustration among many residents.
“We don’t have the money to support so many people coming in such large numbers,” said Chicago Republican Lupe Castillo.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, however, has pledged to protect the city’s sanctuary status and continue supporting the migrants it has welcomed.
Homan fired back at the mayor, saying, “If the Chicago mayor doesn’t want to help, step aside. But if he impedes us, harbors or conceals illegal aliens, I will prosecute him.”
While Homan’s tough rhetoric on illegal immigration resonated with the crowd, he clarified there would be no plans to separate families as part of the deportation efforts. He also weighed in on President-elect Trump’s controversial proposal to end birthright citizenship, stating, “If you come in the country and have a child, that’s on you. You can either take the child with you, but that’s on you.”
In response, a spokesperson for Governor JB Pritzker issued a statement, saying, “It’s no secret that Illinois will face countless baseless attacks over the next four years from the Trump Administration. Rather than responding to every ridiculous boast from Trump lackeys, Governor Pritzker is focused on leading our state with competence instead of chaos.”
ABC7 Chicago reached out to Mayor Johnson’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
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