Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deputy Director Thomas Homan, who has filled the role of acting director since January 2017, today announced his plans to retire.
“It has been the honor of my life to lead the men and women of ICE for more than a year. The decision to leave federal service after more than 34 years is bittersweet, but my family has sacrificed a lot in order for me to serve and it’s time for me to focus on them,” Homan said in a statement. “I am humbled and inspired by the 20,000 American patriots who serve this agency and protect our nation, increasingly in the face of unfair and false criticism from politicians and the media.”
“Because of their tremendous dedication and hard work, we have made significant progress this past year in enforcing our nation’s immigration and customs laws, and in protecting public safety and national security,” he added. “I will continue to be a strong advocate for the workforce and for the ICE mission.”
Homan served as a police officer in New York, a U.S. Border Patrol agent and a special agent with the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, as well as supervisory special agent and deputy assistant director for investigations at ICE. In 1999, he became the assistant district director for investigations (ADDI) in San Antonio, and three years later transferred to the ADDI position in Dallas.
Upon the creation of ICE, Homan was named as the assistant agent in charge in Dallas. In March 2009, he accepted the position of assistant director for enforcement within ERO at ICE headquarters and was subsequently promoted to deputy executive associate director of ERO.
Homan was being honored at the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation in New York tonight and planned to announce his decision to step down there.
He had originally planned to retire with the incoming administration in January 2017 but was convinced to stay on as acting director until a permanent ICE director could be found. He was nominated to permanently fill the role in November but has not been confirmed by the Senate.
Homan will reportedly stay until June to help with the transition.
