Tom Homan Invites Pope Leo To ICE Ride-Along Amid Ongoing Immigration Clash
Border czar Tom Homan publicly invited Pope Leo XIV to join an Immigration and Customs Enforcement ride-along, arguing the pontiff should see firsthand how border enforcement operates under the Trump administration.
Speaking at a Turning Point USA event, Homan said he would welcome a direct conversation with the pope and suggested that critics of current immigration policies lack a full understanding of the situation at the border.
“I’ll sit down and talk to him, because they’re talking about something they don’t understand,” Homan said, adding that he would extend an invitation for the pope to observe ICE operations in person.
Homan emphasized what he described as humanitarian reasons for enforcing immigration law, arguing that weak border policies put vulnerable migrants at risk. He said that promises of open access encourage dangerous journeys facilitated by criminal organizations.
The comments come after Pope Leo XIV publicly criticized the administration’s immigration approach, calling certain policies “inhumane” and “morally indefensible.” The Chicago-born pontiff, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has also weighed in on broader geopolitical issues, including U.S. foreign policy.
President Donald Trump has responded sharply to some of the pope’s remarks in recent months, while also praising members of his family. The exchanges have added to a growing tension between the administration and the Vatican.
Despite that friction, Pope Leo XIV recently attempted to lower the temperature, telling reporters that media narratives have exaggerated the level of conflict between himself and the president. He said he was not interested in engaging in a public debate with Trump.
Vice President JD Vance, the highest-ranking Catholic in the U.S. government, welcomed the pope’s effort to de-escalate, noting that disagreements can exist without turning into public confrontations.
Homan, who has described himself as a lifelong Catholic, defended the administration’s record on immigration, pointing to a sharp drop in illegal crossings and arguing that stricter enforcement has reduced crime, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.
The Vatican has indicated that Pope Leo XIV does not currently have plans to visit the United States this year, leaving it unclear whether any such meeting or ride-along would take place.