Donald Trump’s ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan proposes ‘hotline’ to report illegal immigrants, sparking debate | today news

Tom Homan, who has been appointed as the “Border Czar” for President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration, revealed that the transition team is planning to launch a hotline for Americans to report illegal immigrants suspected of committing crimes. Is considering.

In a recent interview with NBC News, Homan stressed the need for a system that allows citizens to help address issues such as child trafficking and forced labor.

“I want a place where American citizens can call and report,” Homan said. “We need to take care of the American people. We need to make sure they have an outlet to help them report child traffickers, forced labor traffickers. We want to give them a chance to be part of the fix.

While Homan’s proposal has garnered attention, it’s important to note that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has operated a similar tip line for more than two decades, and reportedly receives an average of 15,000 calls per month. Are. ICE’s hotline collects tips on illegal immigration as well as other legal violations such as drug trafficking and document fraud.

However, the Trump transition team did not provide additional details about how the new hotline would differ from ICE’s existing system.

Some proponents of stricter immigration policies argue that creating a hotline focused specifically on illegal immigration could help raise public awareness. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates low immigration, supported the idea. USA Today quoted Krikorian as saying, “Not only does it seem like it’s worth trying, but it’s also an important message to send.”

“Part of this is to make it clear to illegal aliens that they are not untouchable,” Krikorian said. I think this is an important message to send, even if they only get a few actual usable leads.

Although the proposal has received support from some immigration skeptics, it has also sparked backlash from immigrant rights advocates. Critics argue that such hotlines could increase racial profiling and discrimination, encouraging citizens to report neighbors based on perceived immigration status.

Annabel Mendoza, a spokeswoman for immigrant rights organization United We Dream, condemned the proposal. USA Today quoted Mendoza as saying, “Ultimately, what he’s saying is that he wants the average American to turn against his neighbor.”

According to news reports, Tom Wong, director of the Center for American Immigration Policy at the University of California, San Diego, echoed these concerns, and compared them to the Minutemen militia groups patrolling the southern border. Wong warned that such hotlines could embolden surveillance groups and further marginalize undocumented communities.

“This hotline will turn citizens against immigrants, encourage vigilante groups, and serve as a recipe for racial profiling and increased discrimination,” Wong said. “Undocumented communities will also be pushed further into darkness.”

As the debate continues, the future of the proposed hotline remains uncertain, with concerns over its potential social and legal implications dominating the conversation.

As border czar, Homan will oversee deportation policy for individuals entering the country without legal permission, with a focus on deporting immigrants who have committed crimes. However, it is unclear what specific powers Homan will have or how his role will interact with existing immigration enforcement agencies.