Tom Homan, the incoming border czar under former President Donald Trump, has made it clear that he is prepared to jail Denver Mayor Mike Johnston over his opposition to potential mass deportation policies. In a recent interview on Fox News’ Hannity, Homan cited federal law, emphasizing that harboring undocumented immigrants is a felony.
Legal Basis for Homan’s Statement
“But look, me and the Denver mayor, we agree on one thing — he’s willing to go to jail, I’m willing to put him in jail because there’s a statute. It’s Title 8 United States Code 1324 (iii),” Homan stated during the interview. “What it says is it’s a felony if you knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien from immigration authorities. It’s also a felony to impede a federal law enforcement officer.”
Homan’s remarks follow Mayor Johnston’s recent declaration that he is prepared to face imprisonment if it means preventing the Trump administration’s anticipated deportation initiatives.
Mayor Johnston’s Stand on Deportation
During an interview with a local NBC affiliate, Johnston reaffirmed his stance, stating, “I’m not afraid of that, and I’m also not seeking that.”
However, he later clarified remarks about deploying local police officers to block federal immigration enforcement. In an interview with Denverite, he compared such efforts to the Tiananmen Square protests in China in 1989, though he later adjusted his position.
Broader Implications and Political Reactions
The issue has sparked heated debate over states’ rights, immigration enforcement, and federal authority. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who also appeared on Hannity, voiced strong support for Homan’s stance, reaffirming Texas’ commitment to border security efforts.
Abbott and Homan announced plans to visit key border areas, where they will provide meals to National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety officers actively engaged in Operation Lone Star, Texas’ border security initiative.
A Divisive National Debate
The tension between federal immigration authorities and local governments resisting deportation has long been a contentious issue. Cities like Denver have adopted sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Biden administration has previously challenged similar state-level actions, arguing that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
With Trump’s potential return to office, immigration policy remains a focal point of political discourse. Whether Homan will take legal action against Johnston or other sanctuary city leaders remains to be seen, but his statements signal a hardline approach to immigration enforcement.
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