Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director Tom Homan has disclosed alarming details about migrant children trafficking cases under the current administration, while revealing personal security concerns that have forced him to live separately from his family.
In a recent appearance on Miranda Devine’s “Pod Force One” podcast, Homan, who served as border czar during the Trump administration, described how ICE has been rescuing children from trafficking situations. He cited a recent case involving a 14-year-old pregnant girl who was found living with adult men, and reported instances of child labor exploitation at ranches and poultry farms where migrant children were denied education and subjected to forced labor.
According to Homan, while some unaccounted-for children were simply avoiding immigration proceedings with their families, others faced more severe circumstances. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General received reports from ICE officers indicating that thousands of migrant children were placed with non-family sponsors. Statistics show that in 2023, over 14,500 children were released to such sponsors, with an additional 9,600 in 2024. During one week in November 2023, only 1,000 out of 2,400 children were placed with parents or legal guardians.
DNA testing has revealed that approximately 30% of supposed family units were actually unrelated, Homan stated. He described a troubling pattern where criminal cartels would “rent” children to adults attempting to cross the border, after which the children would be returned and rented out again to different individuals.
The trafficking situation has become particularly concerning under the current administration, with reports indicating 300,000 missing children during this period. While some children were successfully rescued from sex trafficking and forced labor situations, others were found to be avoiding contact with authorities to escape immigration court consequences.
The Inspector General’s report highlighted particular concerns about unaccompanied alien children (UACs) released to unrelated sponsors, noting these cases presented the highest risk for trafficking or forced labor exploitation. Even in cases where relatives were deemed qualified sponsors, the vulnerability of these children remained a significant concern.
During the interview, Homan also shared personal challenges resulting from his role in immigration enforcement. He revealed that death threats against him and his family have forced him to live separately from his wife. The former ICE director described how his professional advancement has impacted his family life, limiting time with his children as he rose through the ranks.
“I don’t see my family very much,” Homan explained, attributing the separation to both his demanding work schedule and the serious security concerns. He mentioned that his wife currently resides in a different location due to the volume and nature of threats they’ve received. Despite the separation, he maintains contact with his wife as frequently as possible, though the ongoing security situation continues to affect their living arrangements.
These revelations come amid broader discussions about border security and immigration policy, highlighting both the operational challenges faced by enforcement agencies and the personal toll on officials involved in implementing these policies.