Trump Border Czar Says ICE And CBP Will Act If Incoming Mayor Limits Cooperation, Citing Public Safety And Rule Of Law

Sunday, December 28, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

MANHATTAN, NY.- Tom Homan, President Donald J. Trump’s appointed Border Czar, said last week that New York City would likely see a significant increase in federal immigration enforcement personnel if incoming city leadership moves to further restrict cooperation with federal authorities, a move he warned could have direct consequences for public safety.

     Speaking in public remarks and media interviews, Homan stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers would be deployed in force should municipal policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement. He described the approach as a necessary response when local governments decline to assist with enforcing federal law.

     Homan’s comments come ahead of the city’s scheduled mayoral inauguration on January 1, 2026. Progressive Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and outspoken critic of federal immigration enforcement, has pledged to expand sanctuary protections and further limit cooperation with ICE, once he takes office.

     “If a city refuses to help protect its residents by cooperating with federal law enforcement, the federal government will step in and do the job itself,” Homan said, adding that large metropolitan areas with high population density and documented criminal activity would be prioritized.

Public Safety And Federal Authority;

     Federal immigration enforcement authority is vested in the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. While local governments are not legally required to assist federal agencies, they cannot block federal officers from operating within city limits.

     Homan emphasized that enforcement surges are designed to focus on individuals with criminal records, gang affiliations, or outstanding removal orders, categories he said are often shielded by sanctuary policies that restrict information sharing and detainer cooperation.

     Critics of sanctuary laws argue that limiting cooperation with federal authorities places additional burdens on federal agents and can allow repeat offenders to remain in communities longer than necessary. Supporters of those policies contend they build trust with immigrant communities, though federal officials have repeatedly challenged that assertion.

Sanctuary Expansion As A Catalyst;

     New York City has maintained sanctuary policies for years, but Mamdani has pledged to expand and harden those restrictions, positioning the city as a leading national opponent of federal immigration enforcement. Homan warned that such policies inevitably trigger a stronger federal response rather than reducing enforcement activity.

     “When cooperation ends, enforcement doesn’t stop; it intensifies,” Homan said in one interview.

     City officials have not confirmed receiving any formal notice of an impending federal deployment. DHS generally does not comment publicly on operational planning or personnel movements in advance.

Escalation Likely, Details Unclear;

     While no official deployment orders have been announced, Homan’s remarks signal that New York City could become a focal point for federal enforcement operations if local leadership follows through on plans to restrict cooperation.

     As the nation’s largest city prepares for a new administration, the growing divide between City Hall and Washington on immigration enforcement appears likely to escalate, raising questions about public safety, federal authority, and the long-term impact of sanctuary governance in major urban centers.

Editor’s Note:

This article is based on public statements and policy positions articulated by Tom Homan in his current role as President Trump’s Border Czar. As of publication, no formal federal deployment orders have been publicly issued. Any enforcement expansion would remain subject to federal authorization, legal constraints, and operational discretion. Englebrook Independent News will continue to report verified developments as they occur. By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, Englebrook Independent News.