Tom Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump administration’s border czar, made a memorable appearance in Albany on Wednesday, brushing off a crowd of angry protesters while casually eating an apple. The moment, captured on video and shared widely on social media, underscored his no-nonsense approach as he walked past demonstrators chanting against deportations.
Homan was in Albany to push back against New York’s sanctuary laws and support a Republican-backed proposal that would require local law enforcement to notify ICE when non-citizens are arrested for misdemeanors. The legislation is modeled after the recently signed Laken Riley Act, which mandates similar cooperation between local and federal authorities to prevent violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
Epic. Tom Homan calmly munches on an apple while crying Leftists screech at him for arresting criminals 🤣pic.twitter.com/XQA4AbULfy
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 12, 2025
The protestors, blocked by police, shouted slogans like “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here!” and targeted Homan specifically for the recent ICE detention of Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate whose green card was revoked over his leadership in pro-Hamas demonstrations. A federal judge issued an injunction preventing Khalil’s immediate deportation, but his case remains a flashpoint in the broader debate over immigration enforcement and campus activism.
In the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have surged on college campuses across the U.S., often escalating into anti-Israel rhetoric and actions that have drawn widespread condemnation. The Trump administration has made it clear that foreign nationals who engage in activities deemed supportive of terrorist organizations may face deportation, a policy that has intensified political divisions.
Border Czar Tom Homan gets a warm reception at the state Capitol. pic.twitter.com/5XT6bSDvkn
— Austin Jefferson (@AJeffNY) March 12, 2025
Homan, known for his unwavering stance on immigration enforcement, was unfazed by the outcry. As protesters attempted to confront him, he simply smirked and continued eating his apple, an image that quickly became emblematic of his tough, unshaken demeanor. One protester yelled, “Don’t you believe in the First Amendment?”—a challenge that echoes the ongoing debate over whether immigration policies should take political activism into account.
Meanwhile, the immigration crisis continues to strain New York City’s resources. Since 2022, over 200,000 migrants have arrived in the city, prompting Mayor Eric Adams to implement budget cuts in response to the mounting costs.
The push for a state-level Laken Riley Act is the latest attempt by Republican lawmakers to strengthen immigration enforcement at the state level, as frustration grows over policies that have made New York a sanctuary for illegal immigrants.