Homan Pushes Back on “Anchor Baby” Narrative: Citizenship Does Not Override Immigration Laws
Former acting ICE Director and current border czar Tom Homan issued a firm warning on Sunday: illegal immigrants with U.S.-born children are still subject to deportation under American law. Speaking on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” Homan emphasized that “having a U.S. citizen child doesn’t make you immune from our laws.”
The comments came in response to a recent case where a two-year-old American citizen was taken to Honduras with her deported mother. Homan stressed that the child was not forcibly deported — her mother made the choice to take her rather than leave her with family members in the United States.
“These children weren’t deported,” Homan said plainly. “The mother chose to take the children with her. When you enter the country illegally and you choose to have a U.S. citizen child, that’s on you, not on this administration.”
No “Get Out of Jail Free” Card for Illegal Immigrants
Homan’s message was clear: U.S. citizenship by birth does not shield illegal immigrant parents from the consequences of breaking immigration laws.
“Having a U.S. citizen child after you enter this country illegally — it’s not a get out of jail free card,” Homan reiterated. “American families are separated every day by law enforcement. When a parent gets put in jail, their child doesn’t go with them. The law is the law.”
Host Margaret Brennan questioned whether special care should be taken when deportations involve young, American-born children. Homan firmly responded, “You put yourself in that position by entering illegally. It’s not the fault of law enforcement or the government.”
Family Petitions Underway
The father of the two-year-old American citizen has filed a legal petition for custody of the child, with a court hearing scheduled for May 16 in Louisiana. The outcome could have broader implications for how similar cases are handled moving forward, especially as debates over immigration enforcement and family separation continue to dominate political discussions.
Broader Implications
Homan’s remarks highlight the ongoing clash between immigration activists who call for more leniency and border officials who stress adherence to the rule of law. As the Biden administration faces increasing pressure from both sides of the immigration debate, the enforcement of deportation orders — even when U.S. citizen children are involved — remains a flashpoint issue likely to grow more heated ahead of the 2026 elections.
