Trump Border Czar Tom Homan: Sanctuary City Officials Who Shield Illegal Aliens “Will Be Prosecuted”
President Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan issued a firm warning on Tuesday that local and state officials who harbor or shield illegal immigrants from federal detection may soon face federal criminal charges, as the Trump administration ramps up enforcement efforts against so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions.”
Harboring Illegal Immigrants Is a Federal Felony
Speaking to The Gateway Pundit during a White House press gaggle, Homan pointed to 8 U.S. Code § 1324, which explicitly criminalizes actions that “bring to or attempt to bring to,” “move or attempt to transport,” or “conceal, harbor, or shield from detection” any illegal alien. Convictions under this statute can carry substantial prison time, especially if the alien has committed additional crimes or caused injury or death.
“When they cross the line of harboring and concealing, that’s a felony,” Homan said. “And we got Pam Bondi now, who won’t hesitate to take action.”
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli: ‘We Will Prosecute Anyone’
In a related development, The Gateway Pundit also interviewed Bill Essayli, the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California. Essayli confirmed that his office will not hesitate to prosecute public officials if they interfere with ICE enforcement.
“We would be willing to charge and prosecute them if they interfere in our investigation or in our ability to apprehend criminal illegal immigrants when we are acting within the law,” said Essayli.
This includes state and local politicians, potentially even mayors and governors, who are actively obstructing immigration enforcement through local non-cooperation policies.
“Hold Tight—It’s Coming”
When asked directly if he believes sanctuary city leaders should be prosecuted, Homan didn’t mince words:
“Absolutely. Hold tight on that one because it’s coming. You’re going to see a lot of things happen in the next few months that people should expect. Many don’t, but watch what comes in the near future.”
Targeting the Shield: Trump’s Crackdown Is Accelerating
Homan emphasized that under President Trump’s leadership, sanctuary cities that enable violent illegal alien crime will be held accountable—and that includes prosecuting officials who cross legal lines.
“Sanctuary cities can sit by and watch their communities get ravaged by illegal aliens. They can watch young women get raped and murdered. The Trump administration’s not going to stand for that.”
With Pam Bondi, Stephen Miller, and a newly restructured Department of Homeland Security under a firm Trump doctrine, the administration is preparing to dramatically increase federal enforcement against jurisdictions defying immigration law.
“They can sit aside and watch, but they can’t cross that line,” Homan reiterated. “When they cross the line of harboring and concealing, that’s a felony.”
What Comes Next
According to insiders, the administration is finalizing enforcement procedures that may lead to federal indictments of state and city officials who actively obstruct deportations, provide safe haven for criminal aliens, or use taxpayer funds to shelter fugitives from federal immigration law.
This move sets the stage for a historic showdown between federal law and local jurisdictions that claim the right to nullify immigration enforcement within their borders.
Bottom Line: The Trump administration has sent a crystal-clear message—no one is above the law, and public officials who obstruct justice and protect illegal criminals will face federal prosecution under existing statutes.
