A heated exchange between Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director Tom Homan has resurfaced, reigniting debates over immigration policy and border security. The exchange took place during a congressional hearing where Ocasio-Cortez sharply criticized the Trump administration’s handling of border enforcement, particularly the controversial family separation policy.
During the session, Ocasio-Cortez confronted Homan over what she claimed was a violation of international human rights laws due to the separation of families at the southern border. She argued that the U.S., as a member of the United Nations, had committed to human rights agreements that prohibit such actions.
“We, as members of the United Nations, committed to international human rights agreements that clearly state family separation is a violation of these rights, and yet we implemented a policy that directly contravenes human rights. Mr. Chair, I was reflecting on how we arrived at this juncture,” the congresswoman said.
Homan, however, was quick to push back, refuting her claims with factual counterpoints. He argued that the U.S. was enforcing federal immigration laws that had been in place for decades, long before the Trump administration, and that family separations were not unprecedented.
“The law is clear. When an adult is arrested for illegally crossing the border, they are referred for prosecution, just like any American citizen would be if they committed a crime,” Homan stated firmly. “When you’re prosecuted, you don’t get to take your children to jail with you. That’s how it works under U.S. law.”
Ocasio-Cortez then accused Homan of authoring a memo that led to the implementation of the “zero-tolerance” policy, which resulted in thousands of children being separated from their parents. She implied that his recommendations directly contributed to the controversial policy.
Homan quickly corrected her, clarifying that while he supported stricter border enforcement, he was not responsible for drafting the memo in question.
“I did not write the memo. I endorsed the zero-tolerance policy because it was a lawful approach to enforcing immigration laws while protecting lives,” he explained. “The goal was to deter illegal crossings, reduce human trafficking, and discourage dangerous journeys where people often fall victim to cartels.”
As the back-and-forth continued, Ocasio-Cortez insisted that the policy was inhumane, while Homan doubled down on his stance that enforcing existing immigration laws is necessary for national security.
“If we stop enforcing the law, we encourage more illegal immigration, which puts more lives at risk. I’ve dedicated my career to protecting both American citizens and migrants from harm,” Homan stated.
The exchange underscored the deep divide in Washington over immigration policies and law enforcement at the U.S. southern border. Clips of the confrontation have since gone viral, with both sides using the moment to bolster their political arguments.
During a heated exchange, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) challenged former ICE Director Tom Homan over the Trump administration’s family separation policy. She pointed out that a recommendation he supported included separating families at the border.
“According to this document, you presented multiple options, but the preferred recommendation was family separation,” Ocasio-Cortez asserted.
Homan pushed back, clarifying that the memo was one of many proposals to strengthen border security. “This wasn’t the only document where we provided different options to protect lives,” he responded.
Undeterred, Ocasio-Cortez continued, “Out of all the options, you specifically endorsed family separation.”
Homan defended the administration’s “zero tolerance” policy, arguing that it mirrored standard law enforcement practices. “When an American citizen is arrested, they are separated from their children. The same principle applies here,” he explained.
As Ocasio-Cortez criticized the policy, Homan interrupted to provide further context. “If I’m arrested for DUI with a child in the car, I am separated from that child. When I was a police officer in New York, I arrested a father for domestic violence, and he was separated from his family,” he stated.
Ocasio-Cortez countered, “Mr. Homan, with all due respect, seeking asylum is not a crime.”
Homan then cited federal law, explaining that while asylum itself is legal, crossing the border unlawfully outside of an official port of entry is a violation of Title 8, U.S. Code, Section 1325. “If you want asylum, you need to go through the legal process,” he emphasized.
Frustrated by his response, Ocasio-Cortez insisted, “The Attorney General has made it clear—seeking asylum is legal.”
Homan stood firm, reiterating that while asylum seekers have a legal right to apply, they must follow the designated procedures at official entry points.
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