Tom Homan's sharp response to the Catholic Church's criticism of US immigration policies

Responding to criticism from the Catholic Church, Tom Homan stated that they have a misunderstanding of the law regarding US immigration policies.

Former U.S. Department of Homeland Security official Tom Homan, known as the “border czar,” has taken a blunt stance in response to recent criticism from the Catholic Church of the former administration’s immigration policies, calling the criticism “misguided.” Speaking to reporters on Nov. 14, he stressed that the church has a “misperception” of law enforcement.

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

"The Catholic Church is wrong, I'm sorry about that. I've been Catholic all my life, and I'm not saying this as a border tsar, but as a Catholic. I think they need to reform the Catholic Church."

The remarks came after the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a special message on November 12, in which the bishops expressed concern about the climate of fear and anxiety surrounding the enforcement of immigration laws for church members.

In another part of his speech, referring to the consequences of illegal immigration in recent years, Homan stated that more than 4,000 immigrants have died on their way to the United States during the current administration, calling this number “unprecedented.” He also referred to the death toll from fentanyl, which according to official estimates is “historic.” According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 270,000 people died from using this substance between 2021 and 2024.

In their message, which was approved by a majority vote, the Catholic bishops opposed “mass and indiscriminate deportations” of immigrants and expressed concern about the prevalence of “inhumane statements and violence” against immigrants and law enforcement. They wrote: “We are saddened by recent comments and slander against immigrants. The current conditions of detention centers and the lack of access to spiritual services are a cause for concern. We regret that some immigrants in the United States are being arbitrarily deprived of their legal rights.”

The bishops also spoke of concerns about the security of places of worship, hospitals and schools affiliated with the church, adding: "We are troubled when we see parents worried about their detention to get their children to school, or when we try to comfort a family separated from their loved ones."

Despite emphasizing the need for border regulation, the bishops called for a fair and structured immigration system. But Hooman, who sees the bishops' words as a misinterpretation of the law, believes their message to potential immigrants encourages illegal entry.

"They say we should tell the whole world that if you enter our borders illegally (which is a crime), don't worry about anything. And if a judge orders you to be deported after the legal process is over, don't worry about anything, because mass deportations should be off the agenda," he said.

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

The bishops' official message, their first since 2013, came after Pope Leo, the first American pope, made comments on September 30 about the treatment of immigrants in the United States. He said: "When someone says they are against abortion but do not oppose the inhumane treatment of immigrants in the United States, they cannot be considered supporters of the right to life."

The Pope's remarks were met with a reaction from the White House. Administration press secretary Caroline Leavitt denied the claim, saying, "I disagree with the claim that illegal immigrants in the United States have been subjected to inhumane treatment by this administration. However, under the previous administration, we saw significant inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants. We saw human trafficking, rape, and beatings of immigrants who, in many cases, have lost their lives, particularly on the southern border of the United States."

He added: "This government is trying to implement the country's laws in the most humane way possible, and we are committed to implementing the law."

In the wake of the debate, J.D. Vance, the Catholic vice president, also criticized the bishops in a television interview, claiming that they had not been good partners in implementing immigration policies and had received significant financial assistance to resettle immigrants. He said: "First you have to look after your family, and then it comes to your neighbors, your fellow citizens, your fellow countrymen. After that you can think about the rest of the world and put them first."