Tom Homan, a key border security official in President Donald Trump's administration, recently addressed and dismissed widespread claims that federal immigration agents intended to conduct enforcement operations at voting locations. During a live interview on Fox News, Homan directly countered assertions that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would target polling places this November, characterizing the controversy as a manufactured political tactic.
"I have not seen any operational plans or any discussions on any immigration enforcement operation at polling places." Tom Homan, Border Security Official
Anchor Jacqui Heinrich initiated the segment by referencing "widespread assertions that ICE is going to be raiding polling places," prompting Homan's swift and unequivocal denial. "Look, I have not seen any operational plans or any discussions on any immigration enforcement operation at polling places," Homan stated. He further described the controversy as "another fear tactic, another attack on ICE and this administration." Homan questioned the motives behind such allegations, adding, "I mean, they don’t want ICE near the polling places, they don’t want to vote for voter ID, they don’t want observers. What have they got to hide to begin with, right?" He reiterated, "There is no plan for enforcement action at polling places…it’s just another attempt to smear ICE."
The claims regarding potential ICE presence at polling sites have fueled significant concern among civil rights organizations and some political figures. These groups, representing Latino communities, have invoked a Civil War-era statute that prohibits armed personnel from operating near election sites. The city of Denver, for instance, has joined civil rights organizations in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over policies that plaintiffs argue could allow such enforcement actions and potentially deter voters. Democratic officials, including Governor JB Pritzker, have also voiced allegations regarding potential federal interference at polling places.
Responding to questions about formal directives protecting certain locations, Homan acknowledged that no specific policy grants "sanctuary" from enforcement based solely on location. He emphasized that agents must retain the ability to act against significant public safety or national security threats wherever they may be found. "Look, there is no sense of location policy. There is no sanctuary for a significant public safety threat or national security threat," Homan declared. He clarified, however, that ICE agents operate with professionalism and discretion. "We’ll go where we’ve got to go to apprehend these people. But ICE are professionals and try to do things in a professional manner." He underscored the agency's track record, stating, "look at the past two years, not one instance of ICE operating at a sensitive location, to include polling places."
Homan, known for prioritizing the hardening of the southern border and increasing deportations of individuals residing within the country, also touched on broader immigration enforcement trends. Recent government figures reveal a notable divergence between border activity and interior enforcement. Apprehensions along the southwest border have continued a sustained decline, reaching levels rarely observed in recent history. In July, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded 9,295 Border Patrol apprehensions along the southwest border, marking a 6% decrease from the preceding month. This trend extends a slide from the elevated crossing numbers observed between 2021 and 2024. CBP officials also confirmed that July represented the fifteenth consecutive month without a single release of an apprehended migrant into the interior of the country, with southwest-border apprehensions now sitting 94% lower compared to the average pace under the previous administration.
Conversely, interior enforcement by ICE has seen a dramatic acceleration over the same period. Preliminary government figures reviewed by Reuters indicate nearly 51,000 ICE arrests in August, marking a third consecutive monthly record. Officials attribute this surge to enhanced coordination with local law enforcement agencies, expanded access to shared data systems, and advancements in surveillance and identification tools. While interior arrests have risen, deportation numbers have remained relatively consistent, averaging around 1,200 removals per day. This figure, though substantial, has not kept pace with the accelerating rate of new arrests. The combined data paints a picture of a dual enforcement landscape: a historically quiet southern border coupled with a vigorous and growing interior enforcement effort.
Homan concluded by framing election integrity as a unifying national goal. "So look, everybody wants fair elections," he said. "Elections need to have some integrity. So, the bottom line is, you know, the Trump administration, President Trump, wants fair elections. But I want to put that to bed. There is no plan to sweep polling places looking for illegal aliens." His clarification aims to quell concerns and redirect focus towards the administration's stated commitment to secure electoral processes and robust immigration enforcement.
