Who is Tom Homan, Trump's 'border tsar' deployed to Minneapolis?

January 27, 2026

President Trump has replaced Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino with "border tsar" Tom Homan to oversee immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis following two fatal shootings of US citizens by federal agents within a month. Homan, a 64-year-old veteran with decades of immigration enforcement experience across multiple administrations, will serve as the primary contact with city officials while Bovino and some agents leave the city. Although Homan is considered more experienced in interior enforcement and better at public relations than Bovino, experts and activists say his appointment is unlikely to change the administration's aggressive deportation approach.

Who is affected

**Undocumented migrants** in Minneapolis and across the US, including those without criminal backgrounds
**Two US citizens** who were shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis
**Minneapolis city officials** who will meet with Homan
**Gregory Bovino** and some of his border patrol agents being relocated from Minneapolis
**Sanctuary cities** that do not cooperate with federal immigration efforts
**Families previously separated** under policies Homan defended
**Immigration activists and advocacy organizations** like the Amica Center
**Lawmakers from both parties** who have expressed concerns about operations in Minneapolis

What action is being taken

**Tom Homan is being deployed** to Minneapolis to lead on-the-ground immigration enforcement
**Homan is meeting** with city officials as the main point of contact
**Gregory Bovino is leaving** Minneapolis along with some of his agents
**ICE is continuing** to arrest undocumented migrants regardless of criminal background
**The administration is enforcing** broad deportation goals targeting all deportable undocumented migrants

Why it matters

This development matters because it represents the White House's attempt to address growing public concern following two fatal shootings of US citizens by federal agents during immigration operations in Minneapolis. The replacement signals political damage control, as Homan is viewed as more experienced and better at public communication than Bovino. However, the substantive significance is limited—experts indicate the change won't alter the administration's aggressive deportation approach, meaning undocumented immigrants, including those without criminal records, will continue to face arrest and removal. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local communities, particularly sanctuary cities, while demonstrating how immigration policy execution affects both documented and undocumented populations.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC