the river runs deep...
Border Chief Homan Says Raid on Tren de Aragua Gang Was Leaked, Vows Accountability
Homan said his team has identified the source of the leak.
Border czar Tom Homan promised on Feb. 6 to find those responsible for leaking the details of a raid targeting members of the Tren de Aragua (TDA) gang and hold them accountable.
“This isn’t a game,” Homan told reporters outside the White House. “When operations get leaked like that, it puts our officers at great risk.”
The Venezuelan gang has become increasingly active in the United States amid a years-long surge in illegal immigrants crossing the southern border. It is one of several
high-threat groups the Trump administration has prioritized for deportation.
“We know that TDA is dangerous. Everybody can agree to that,” Homan said. “But when they get a heads up that we are coming, it’s only a matter of time before our officers are ambushed.
“Their job is dangerous enough, so we are going to address this very seriously.”
The raid in question took place on Feb. 5 in Colorado. Before approaching the gaggle of reporters, Homan told Fox News that his team had already identified the source of the leak, which is not the first to hinder the border czar’s operations.
Before President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Homan’s plans for immigration enforcement in Chicago were leaked, prompting him to change things up.
Homan suggested that future media access to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could be limited if the leaks continue.
“Look, I said from day one, we want to be transparent with the American people,” he said. “We’ve invited numerous media outlets along, but right now, it’s all about operational security.
“So we may have to stop the media ride-alongs because—I’m not pointing the finger at them—but the less people that know about these operations, the safer it is for our agents.”
Trump tapped Homan to spearhead from outside the Department of Homeland Security the massive deportation operation he promised to voters. Homan’s office is housed within the White House and reports directly to Trump.
When asked about reports that ICE is releasing some detainees, Homan said he intends to investigate the matter.
“I was made aware of that this morning, and I will address that today, but I’ve been told that some were released because of some health concerns that we could not handle within ICE detention,” he said.
“So I have a meeting with ICE leadership today to find out exactly who was released and why, but the president made it clear we’re ending catch-and-release.”
Homan said roughly 11,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested since Trump took office on Jan. 20. That figure, he added, will go up as the leaks and public safety threats are addressed.
“As the aperture opens up beyond criminals, you’re going to see more arrests,” he said. “I’ve made it clear that if you’re in the country illegally, you’re not off the table.”
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