DHS taps controversial Trump adviser to lead new $2.34 billion deportation contract bid
Frank Wuco, a former Trump adviser known for extremist remarks, is now the public face of the Department of Homeland Security’s $2.34 billion effort to replace the contractor for Project Homecoming.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that Frank Wuco, a senior adviser with a history of controversial statements, will lead the outreach for a new $2.34 billion procurement to replace the contractor of Project Homecoming, the program that offers migrants cash and flights to leave the United States. Wuco, previously a White House adviser to DHS and a former conservative radio host, has been criticized for questioning former President Obama’s birthplace and suggesting extreme counter-terrorism measures.
The prior contract, worth $915 million, was given in May 2025 to Salus Worldwide Solutions, a firm founded by Trump associate William Walters III, but it quickly exhausted its funds, prompting a $200 million six-month extension. DHS issued the final request for proposals on August 19, with a brief window for questions and bids, aiming to select a winner by September 29. The agency defended Wuco’s involvement, stating his past private comments do not affect his current duties, and reiterated that the procurement will follow all applicable statutes. The selected contractor will manage existing cases and may place staff in up to 35 ICE detention centers to encourage voluntary departures.
Why it matters
The appointment ties a polarizing figure to a major $2.34 billion immigration contract, raising concerns about procurement integrity and policy direction.
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