Alina Habba, the attorney designated by President-elect Donald Trump to be an advisor in the Oval Office, asserted on Tuesday that Trump did not separate migrant children from their families during his first term. This statement came just a day after his leading border official acknowledged that “it may happen” again.
“I have no intention of separating families whatsoever,” stated Tom Homan, whom Trump intends to name as his “border czar,” during a GOP holiday gathering in Chicago on Monday night. “That’s not my aim. My aim is to uphold the law, but if circumstances lead to that, it could occur.”
When asked by Bill Hemmer, co-host of Fox News’ America’s Newsroom, if she had contemplated the possibility of family separations, Habba refuted that it ever took place.
“There is no one breaking apart families, and there is no targeting of individuals to ensure one goes while another stays,” she stated. “That scenario does not occur under President Trump, nor did it happen previously.”
This claim, however, is inaccurate. As reported earlier this year by New York magazine, approximately 2,000 children of migrants who were separated during Trump’s first term remain un-reunited, out of a total of 5,000 that were. Family migrant deportation began under Barack Obama’s presidency, it should be noted.
Trump has pledged to deport millions of migrants and has indicated plans to utilize the U.S. military on American soil to accomplish this, a sentiment echoed by Homan.
The incoming “border czar” informed his Chicago audience on Monday that the large-scale deportation initiative will commence in the city, which is the third most populous in the U.S.
“We will kick off right here in Chicago, Illinois,” he announced.
He proceeded to criticize the city and state officials before inviting them to engage in negotiation.
“Chicago is facing difficulties because your mayor is inadequate and your governor is ineffective,” Homan remarked, receiving enthusiastic applause from the Republican attendees, as reported by local outlet WBEZ.
Regarding Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, he stated: “If he doesn’t wish to assist, he should step aside. However, if he obstructs us—if he knowingly harbors or conceals an undocumented individual—I will take legal action against him.”
He denounced Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker as “terrible” while simultaneously extending an invitation for them to “come to the table” and collaborate with him.
