Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens has expressed support for the appointment of Tom Homan as the Trump administration's incoming border czar, citing Homan's background as a former Border Patrol agent and head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
"I'm excited because Tom Homan is a brother Border Patrol agent," Owens told Fox News. "He served time in this uniform. And so I'm excited to see any of our green family make good. And I'm excited to see what he's going to do."
Owens described why he thinks Homan's expected policies are a result of the current administration's border policies:
"I can tell you that the interior enforcement and the deportations, what they represent is a consequence. They represent a consequence of not following our laws and coming into our country the right way"
Owens, who became Border Patrol chief last year amid record border encounters, highlighted enforcement as a necessary consequence for individuals entering the United States unlawfully. He noted that tensions between Border Patrol agents and the Biden administration over immigration policies have underscored the need for strong leadership to address ongoing challenges at the southern border.
Owens identified two primary threats currently facing the agency: the proliferation of fentanyl and the activities of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). The gang has been implicated in numerous crimes across the U.S. and has expanded its operations to several states, including Colorado, where it has reportedly taken control of multiple properties. Owens stated that addressing these threats is a top priority for the Border Patrol.
"It's a very serious threat for us," he said of Tren de Aragua (TdA). "It is one of our top priorities, just like fentanyl. Tomorrow it may be something else, but today it's TdA and fentanyl that they represent some of the biggest threats to our people in this country."
Owens' public support for the upcoming administration follows the announcement made by The National Border Patrol Council, which represents approximately 16,000 U.S. Border Patrol agents, back on November 6 when they congratulated president-elect Donald Trump for his triumph.
"We consider today's victory for President Trump not just a victory for himself, but a victory for the entire country." Council Vice President Art Del Cueto said back then. "We look forward to working with him like we have in the past to fix the many issues that have affected our nation's borders in the last four years."
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