Tom Homan Rips NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Kathy Hochul Over Plan to Combat ICE 'Overreach': 'I’m Sick of the Lying'

White House Border Czar Tom Homan exasperatingly criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul following their joint announcement of initiatives to fight what they described as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) "overreach.”

Reacting directly to their pushback on Fox News, Homan argued that local sanctuary policies deliberately misled the public about federal immigration enforcement and undermine public safety.

“I'm sick of the lying. I'm sick of the distortion of the facts! President Trump has done more to make New York City and New York State safer than they have. Where were they when a half a million children were separated from their families, put in the hands of criminal cartels and smuggled across the border?” he exclaimed. “President Trump is saving thousands of lives; that includes thousands of lives in New York. You're welcome! You're welcome that ICE has taken thousands of criminals off your street.”

A spokesperson for Gov. Hochul recently stated that crime rates in New York state and city are at record lows, attributing the success to targeted state and municipal actions. These include deploying National Guard troops to the city's subway system and revising state bail laws to give judges more authority to set cash bail.

The heated dynamic centers on New York's escalating legislative and legal framework aimed at restricting federal immigration operations.

Gov. Hochul previously enacted measures limiting local law enforcement's cooperation with ICE, including banning formal data-sharing agreements and prohibiting ICE agents from wearing masks during public operations.

Mayor Mamdani, a prominent progressive who has explicitly called for ICE to be abolished, announced further countermeasures with New York Attorney General Letitia James to counter federal enforcement, labeling ICE practices "cruel and inhumane."

Homan countered that by terminating local jail cooperation agreements, New York leaders are forcing ICE to deploy large enforcement teams directly into communities to track down criminal undocumented immigrants, which actually increases neighborhood disruption.

In response to New York’s efforts to stonewall federal authorities, the Trump administration has threatened to double down on operations, promising to surge federal agents into New York City to enforce immigration laws.

The Department of Justice has concurrently filed lawsuits against New York's recently passed state-level sanctuary laws.

Homan stated that roughly 70 percent of ICE arrests involve individuals with criminal convictions, pending charges or those classified as national security/gang threats. Data cited by administration releases aligns with the breakdown that a significant portion of detained or removed individuals have criminal histories or pending charges.

In response to claims of poor conditions or mistreatment in facilities like Delaney Hall in New Jersey, Homan has denied inhumane treatment, asserting that facilities are regularly inspected by the Inspector General and dismissed some complaints as resistance from detainees wanting release.

Lawmakers from both parties have questioned ICE transparency during congressional briefings, pointing to investigations into excessive force complaints and reviewing officer vetting following incidents such as a fatal shooting in Maine.

There is a consensus among critics that Homan aggressively defends ICE personnel and downplays the human cost or negative impacts associated with mass deportation enforcement.

At least 52 people have died in ICE detention custody, and approximately 10 to 11 individuals have been shot and killed by immigration enforcement agents during active operations under Trump's second term.