White House border czar Tom Homan challenged a premise in a CBS News interview about immigration enforcement, saying those in the U.S. illegally are deportable under federal law.
The exchange circulating on X
A clip posted on X by the account Geiger Capital on Oct. 2, 2026 shows a CBS interviewer saying, “Rep. Maria Salazar cited the stat that 50% of ICE detainees don’t have an additional criminal charge here.” In the clip, Homan responds: “Are they in the country illegally?” When the interviewer says yes, Homan replies: “Then they are deportable.” (Source: @Geiger_Capital on X)
What CBS News reported Homan said
According to CBS News, as the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown draws pushback from some Republicans, Homan said critics should “talk to ICE” and “educate themselves.” CBS News also quoted Homan saying, “Give me an example of where we went too far. That’s a pretty bold statement to make,” in response to Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar’s criticism.
CBS News reported that Homan said the administration is prioritizing people it views as public safety threats, while noting that anybody in the U.S. illegally is “deportable by federal law.” He added, “If you’re in the country illegally, you got a problem. You shouldn’t be here,” and said “everybody we arrest has an opportunity to see a judge and plead their case.”
Context CBS News included
CBS News reported that Rep. Salazar, in a campaign ad, warned that some Hispanic voters “feel betrayed,” saying some tactics “have gone too far,” and pointed to data showing many ICE detainees lack criminal records. CBS News also said other Republicans have raised concerns, including Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia.
How the clip was framed elsewhere
The Gateway Pundit highlighted the X clip and characterized the exchange as Homan “schooling” a CBS journalist. That is the outlet’s characterization.
Link to the clip referenced above: https://pic.twitter.com/WloxQkiNok (as shared by @Geiger_Capital)
