In Az Speech, Trump’s ‘Border Czar’ Issues Stark Warning to Immigrants: “Keep Looking Over Your Shoulder”

Tom Homan, chief border security adviser to President Donald Trump, addressed Arizona lawmakers on Tuesday, advocating for the administration’s mass deportation campaign. Homan dismissed concerns about civil rights violations, asserting that ongoing efforts would lead to the arrest and expulsion of undocumented individuals, including those without criminal records.

“If you’re in this country illegally, you should be looking over your shoulder,” he declared, receiving enthusiastic support from attending Republican lawmakers and law enforcement officials. However, entering the U.S. without authorization is classified as a civil violation, not a criminal act.

Homan’s remarks come amid increased scrutiny of the White House’s immigration policies, particularly regarding allegations of due process violations. Multiple international students have been arrested due to their political activism, prompting the revocation of numerous student visas, including those of 50 students at Arizona State University. Across the nation, ICE has targeted migrants with no criminal offenses and pending asylum cases.

The recent deportation of 238 Venezuelans to a high-security labor camp in El Salvador raised significant concerns, especially since many were accused of gang affiliations primarily based on having tattoos. Reports confirm that at least one individual was wrongfully deported due to a clerical error.

The Trump administration is currently facing legal challenges over these actions and its reliance on the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which enables removal without due process. The U.S. Supreme Court recently permitted the administration to use this act against Venezuelan migrants while requiring reasonable notice for them to contest their deportations.

During his speech in Arizona, Homan defended the controversial deportation flights, neglecting to address the lack of substantiated evidence against those affected. “We’re not going to apologize for removing people through the Alien Enemies Act,” he stated, relating the individuals deported to domestic threats.

Homan’s visit coincided with his participation in the Border Security Expo, where U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also promoted federal efforts by collaborating with local ICE officials to detain alleged gang members.

Senate President Warren Petersen, who plans to run for Arizona attorney general in 2026, highlighted his support for stricter immigration laws, including the recently proposed Arizona ICE Act, which aims to eliminate local policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities. “Arizona will do everything we can to support you in your efforts,” Petersen told Homan.

The proposed Arizona ICE Act mandates compliance with ICE detainers, allowing the state attorney general to sue noncompliant agencies. Homan echoed this sentiment, praising former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio as a model for cooperation with ICE. Arpaio’s leadership, however, was marred by accusations of widespread racial profiling, leading to significant legal settlements.

Looking ahead, Homan hinted at a revival of controversial family detention policies, suggesting that technology like DNA testing could ensure children are placed with their rightful parents instead of potential traffickers. This approach recalls the zero-tolerance policy enacted during Trump’s first term, which received widespread condemnation and resulted in the separation of many families.

As demonstrators protested outside the Arizona House of Representatives during his address, Homan’s visit sparked significant backlash from Democratic lawmakers. They highlighted individuals they believe were wrongfully detained and criticized the administration’s methods as harmful to communities.

Senator Analise Ortiz voiced her frustrations, stating, “Our communities are demanding that we fight against the Trump administration, which is flat out denying court orders.” Despite claims of voter support for strict border policies, Ortiz argued that such actions foster chaos rather than order in immigration enforcement.

As the dialogue around immigration continues to evolve, the events in Arizona illustrate the ongoing divisions in American society regarding how to approach border security and rights of undocumented individuals.