Tom Homan, a former acting ICE director and now President Trump’s border czar, has announced a major escalation in federal immigration enforcement targeting sanctuary cities following the weekend shooting of an off-duty Border Patrol agent in New York City.
At a press briefing on Monday, Homan blamed the city’s sanctuary policies—backed by Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council—for allowing the suspect, identified as a “criminal alien” with an extensive criminal history, to remain free. He said the individual was released on the streets rather than in jails, limiting ICE’s ability to arrest him.
“Sanctuary cities are now our priority,” Homan stated. “If they won’t allow us into jail, we’ll bring more agents into the community. We’ll flood the zone in New York City and other major sanctuary cities.”
He added that ICE agents will be deployed more heavily in these areas, stepping up efforts to apprehend undocumented immigrants with criminal records—even in workplaces. “Sanctuary cities get exactly what they don’t want—more agents in the community and the worksite,” he said.
The suspects in the shooting, Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez and Christhian Aybar-Berroa, are both undocumented immigrants from the Dominican Republic and are awaiting arraignment. According to officials, Mora Nunez faces active warrants for kidnapping and armed robbery in Massachusetts.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed Homan’s criticism. She noted that both suspects had long criminal records and should have been deported months ago but were not due to sanctuary policies. “How many more lives will it take?” Noem asked, urging sanctuary cities to prioritize public safety.
New York City has become a focal point in national immigration debates. Since early 2022, over 230,000 migrants have arrived, costing an estimated $8 billion on housing and services, according to Mayor Adams’ office. Meanwhile, ICE has made nearly 29,000 undocumented arrests in the city.
Mayor Adams, now running for reelection as an independent after breaking from the Democratic party, maintains a nuanced stance. While he’s permitted ICE to reopen a presence at Rikers Island and supported targeting dangerous criminals, he opposes raids affecting law-abiding immigrants on a path to citizenship. “If [ICE] assists us to go after those individuals, I welcome it,” he said, but added that targeting everyday immigrants would be wrong.
