San Diego (US), Nov 12 — Donald Trump’s former top immigration officials, Stephen Miller and Thomas Homan, are continuing to defend the controversial policies they championed during the Trump administration, including the separation of families at the border and a tough stance on deportations.
Miller and Homan were central figures in shaping the administration’s aggressive immigration agenda, including the practice of separating parents from children at the border to deter illegal crossings. As Trump signals a return to this approach in a potential second term, the two former aides are expected to play key roles in executing his immigration plans, bringing with them a deep understanding of the policies and the lessons learned from past challenges.
After Trump left office in 2021, Miller became president of America First Legal, where he joined forces with Republican state attorneys general to block President Joe Biden’s border policies. Homan, with decades of experience in immigration enforcement, founded the Border 911 Foundation, an organization that claims to fight “border invasions,” and held its first gala at Trump’s Florida estate earlier this year.
Ronald Vitiello, a former Border Patrol chief, praised Homan’s hands-on expertise in the field, noting that he had risen through the ranks and had extensive experience in overseeing immigration enforcement. Vitiello also commended Miller’s in-depth knowledge of immigration policy, his firm beliefs, and his strong relationship with Trump.
Under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. government targeted millions of undocumented individuals for deportation, a process Miller and Homan continue to support. They have long portrayed illegal immigration as a severe threat to the country, with Miller often emphasizing the need to safeguard American society from criminal gangs and illegal crossings.
Trump’s administration had also promised the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, with an estimated 11 million undocumented people in the country. As Trump continues to focus on illegal immigration as a core issue of his campaign, questions remain about how mass deportations will be managed, including how individuals will be identified and where they will be detained.
Miller, who was a key speechwriter for Trump and a prominent architect of his immigration policies, has often warned about the perceived dangers of immigration. He believes that the country should restrict both illegal and legal immigration, and in a recent rally, he stated that America should be “for Americans and Americans only.”
Homan, on the other hand, has expressed no hesitation in supporting aggressive enforcement measures. He has defended the controversial “zero tolerance” policy that led to family separations at the border. Under this policy, many parents were criminally prosecuted for illegal border crossings, leading to the separation of thousands of children from their families, a practice that drew widespread criticism. Homan defended the policy by comparing it to other law enforcement situations, such as separating parents from children in domestic violence cases.
Despite the backlash, Homan has maintained that his role was necessary to ensure national security, stating that he felt bad for the families but had a job to do. The separations have since been legally restricted, with families being reunited under court mandates. Critics, however, have argued that the practice was flawed and inhumane, particularly as many parents were deported without their children.
The two officials are now positioned to advise Trump in a potential second term. Unlike key immigration officials who require Senate confirmation, such as the directors of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Miller and Homan can directly implement Trump’s policies without approval from the Senate.
As Trump ramps up his campaign to address illegal immigration, the roles of Miller and Homan will be pivotal in shaping the administration’s approach to border security, deportations, and immigration reform.
