During a visit to the New York State Capitol, President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, warned sanctuary jurisdictions to “get out of the way” or face an increase in ICE agents in their communities.
New York state law limits local and state law enforcement from complying with ICE detainers or holding illegal immigrants based solely on their immigration status. The state’s “Green Light Law” also allows illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
Standing with Republican state lawmakers, Homan repeated his promise to prioritize the deportation of dangerous individuals and criticized New York’s non-cooperation policies, claiming they put federal agents and communities at risk.
He urged state and local authorities to allow ICE access to jails but vowed that sanctuary policies would not prevent the Trump administration from enforcing immigration laws.
“This is a direct attack on immigration enforcement,” Homan said.
He warned that failing to cooperate with immigration authorities would lead to more ICE agents in communities.
“You’re not going to stop us, New York state. You need to change the sanctuary policies. If not, step aside because we’re going to do our job,” he said. “We’ll double the manpower if necessary. Instead of one officer arresting a criminal, I’ll send a whole team.”
Homan also criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat who supports deporting criminal illegal immigrants but has opposed Trump’s immigration policies.
“She’s being contradictory — saying she wants criminal aliens deported while creating barriers that prevent it from happening,” he said.
“Releasing a public safety threat back into the community is just irresponsible,” Homan added. “You’ve forced us into the streets because you won’t let us into the jails.”
Avi Small, a spokesperson for Hochul, responded by saying the governor supports secure borders and deporting violent criminals but refuses to help the Trump administration separate families.
“This isn’t the first time Trump officials have misrepresented our policies — and it probably won’t be the last — but Governor Hochul remains focused on keeping New Yorkers safe,” Small said.
Assemblyman Matt Slater, a New York Republican present at Homan’s visit, praised the Trump administration’s stance.
“Director Homan made it clear that New York’s dangerous sanctuary policies and the Green Light Law are no longer acceptable,” Slater said.
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