By Charles Switzer
1:36am PDT, Apr 9, 2025
Tom Homan Voices Frustration Over Deportation Progress
At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in late February, White House border advisor
Tom Homan expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of immigration enforcement under President
Donald Trump's second term. Not much has changed in the six weeks since then.
In an interview with
Semafor on Monday, April 7, Homan's tone suggested growing impatience with Capitol Hill.
"I support any approach that gives us the money we need to do this operation," he said. He then added bluntly, "Is it taking too long? Yes, it's taking too long. I wish they would have passed [a budget resolution] by now."
His comments reflect the
broader gridlock affecting not just immigration policy but the overall functioning of the Donald Trump administration's legislative goals for 2025.
Here are some key takeaways from Homan's revelations.
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Specific Needs Revealed
"We've got to have Congress fund this operation," Tom Homan told
Semafor in early April. "I mean, we're hoping to get some funding through reconciliation, but now that's — we got to hope Congress gets that done, because there is a limited amount of funds. And to do more, we got to buy more detention beds. We need more flights. We need more officers. We need more overtime. Bottom line is: The more money we get, the more successful we will be. After four years of millions of people entering the country illegally, we got a lot of people … but resources matter. We got to hire more agents. And the biggest issue I see right now is the need for more detention beds."
Delays Spark Renewed Criticism from Homan
Speaking to
National Review in late February, Homan stated, "I'm not happy with the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests so far."
He clarified, "Let me rephrase: I'm happy that we got the arrests we have, but I want more."
The border "czar" made clear that his expectations remain high for ramping up deportations as Trump continues to pursue his immigration agenda.
Funding as a Barrier to Action
Tom Homan was candid about the challenges his team faces without sufficient resources. He emphasized that expanded enforcement depends heavily on budgetary support from Congress.
"If we get more money, we do more," he told
National Review.The
delay in funding, he later suggested, was holding back progress. As part of the broader budget reconciliation debate in Congress, additional border security funding is in limbo, therefore putting strain on efforts to escalate deportations and immigration enforcement operations.
Congressional Disagreements Stall Budget Progress
The delay in advancing border enforcement funds is largely tied to partisan disagreement over the budget resolution needed to unlock reconciliation. Internal conflict within the Republican Party — especially between House fiscal conservatives and Senate leadership — has further slowed the process.
Disputes over President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign tax proposals and skepticism from deficit hawks regarding spending levels continue to hold up any formal agreement. Without a resolution in place, lawmakers cannot use reconciliation to
bypass Senate filibusters and pass border-related funding with a simple majority.
Social Media Reacts to Homan's Remarks
Tom Homan's blunt remarks quickly circulated on social media, drawing both support and criticism.
On Reddit's r/Conservative forum, one user wrote, "He's just saying what most of us are thinking. We need action, not excuses."
Meanwhile, immigration advocates on Instagram shared infographics citing Homan's goals to highlight what they see as aggressive enforcement priorities that lack humanitarian concern.
