Tom Homan’s Sharp Response to Catholic Church Criticism of U.S. Immigration Policies

“Tom Homan” responded to the Catholic Church’s criticism, stating that they have a misunderstanding of U.S. immigration laws.

Tom Homan, the former official of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security known as the “Border Czar,” took a blunt and outspoken stance in response to recent criticism from the Catholic Church regarding the immigration policies of the previous U.S. government, calling these criticisms “mistaken.” During a conversation with reporters on November 14, he emphasized that the Church has “a misunderstanding” of law enforcement implementation.

Emphasizing the necessity of border control, Homan said: “A secure border saves human lives. I wish the Catholic Church would understand that. We have the right to secure our borders, just as they have the right to keep their facilities secure.” He continued: “If you enter their facilities, you will be detained. In fact, the penalty for entering their facilities is much more severe than what we have.”

“The Catholic Church is making a mistake, and I am sorry about this. I have been Catholic all my life, and I am saying this not as the border czar, but as a Catholic. I think they should reform the Catholic Church.”

These remarks came after the release of a special statement from the Conference of Catholic Bishops of America on November 12, in which the bishops expressed concern about the atmosphere of fear regarding the implementation of immigration laws for church members.

In another part of his remarks, Homan, referring to the consequences of illegal immigration in recent years, stated that more than 4,000 migrants have died while attempting to enter America during the current government administration, describing this figure as “unprecedented.” He also referenced mortality statistics caused by “fentanyl,” which according to official estimates is considered “historic.” According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2021 and 2024, more than 270,000 people have died from the consumption of this substance.

In their statement, which was approved by majority vote, the Catholic bishops opposed “indiscriminate and disproportionate mass deportations” of migrants and expressed concern about the prevalence of “inhumane remarks and violence” against migrants and law enforcement personnel. They wrote: “We are troubled by recent inflammatory rhetoric and slurs against migrants. Current detention facility conditions and lack of access to spiritual services are concerning. We are saddened that some migrants in America are arbitrarily deprived of their legal rights.”

The bishops also raised concerns about the security of places of worship, hospitals, and schools affiliated with the Church, adding: “When we see parents worried about being detained while taking their children to school, or when we try to comfort families separated from their loved ones, we become distressed.”

Despite emphasizing the necessity of border management, the bishops called for the creation of a just and structured immigration system. However, Homan, who views the bishops’ remarks as a misinterpretation of the law, believes their message encourages potential migrants to enter illegally.

He said: “They are saying we should tell the whole world that if you illegally cross our borders (which is a crime), don’t worry about anything. Even if a judge orders your deportation after due legal process, don’t worry; because mass deportation should be removed from the agenda.”

He warned that such messages could force migrants to hand over their life savings to criminal human trafficking networks.

This official statement from the bishops, their first since 2013, came after “Pope Leo,” the first American pope, commented on September 30 about how migrants are treated in America. He had said: “When someone says they are opposed to abortion but does not object to inhumane treatment of migrants in America, one cannot consider them a supporter of the right to life.”

The Pope’s remarks were met with a response from the White House. “Caroline Levitt,” the government’s press spokesperson, rejected this claim and said: “I disagree with the assertion that illegal immigrants in America have been treated inhumanely by this administration. However, in the previous administration, we witnessed considerable inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants. We witnessed human trafficking, sexual assault, and beatings of migrants, many of whom, particularly at America’s southern border, lost their lives.”

She added: “This administration is working to enforce the country’s laws in the most humane way possible, and we are committed to law enforcement.”

In the ongoing debate, “J.D. Vance,” the Catholic Vice President, also criticized the bishops’ performance in a television interview, claiming that they have not been good partners in implementing immigration policies and have received substantial financial aid for migrant resettlement. He said: “First, you must take care of your own family, then your neighbors, fellow citizens, and countrymen. After that, you can think about the rest of the world and prioritize them.”