Border czar urges DHS to tighten inspections and punish firms hiring undocumented workers

In a recent interview, border czar Tom Homan revealed that DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin is slated to review a new worksite enforcement strategy drafted by Homeland Security Investigations. The proposal aims to expand inspections, crack down on the use of fake identification, and hold employers who knowingly employ undocumented migrants liable, not just the migrants themselves. Homan praised the team behind the draft and expects the plan to reach the secretary within weeks.

The initiative highlights a split within the Trump administration, as President Donald Trump has warned of political pressures from both business donors and populist voters while seeking to avoid disruptions in industries that rely on low-cost labor. Critics note that previous Biden-era policies halted raids, and experts argue that low-profile I-9 checks could increase compliance without large-scale operations.