At a contentious event at the University of Texas at El Paso, Tom Homan, White House Border Czar, addressed over 500 attendees, sparking protests and heated exchanges. The conference, hosted by Turning Point USA at UTEP on Thursday, saw Homan being his outspoken self, according to KFOX14/CBS4, making statements such as, “I don’t give a s*** what people think of me,” and stressing that, “Criminal cartels are animals. Secure borders save lives.”
Challenging times at the event didn’t end there, as Homan erupted at a heckler who branded him a “racist” and a “traitor.” Homan’s response was caught by The New York Post, “Call me what you want, I don’t care. Why don’t you grow a backbone, put a Kevlar vest and a gun on your hip, and go secure this border?” The heckler also suggested that the 2019 El Paso Walmart shooter was inspired by Homan's immigration stance, a claim Homan refuted while defending his and the administration's policies.
Despite the disruptions, Homan continued to discuss the implications of a less-than-secure border, with real-life examples of human trafficking and cartel violence to illustrate his point. He insists that stronger border security can help reduce such violence, a notion he reiterated during his speech. “If you want to enter the greatest country on Earth, come in through a port of entry,” said Homan, emphasizing legal entry into the United States, as reported by the El Paso Times.
While Homan was delivering his address inside, outside in Leech Grove, a crowd gathered to protest his presence. According to a protester interviewed by KFOX14/CBS4, Emil Esparza found Homan's visit inappropriate and insulting, reflecting a tension that undercuts the already-complex debate over immigration policies. Turning Point USA's UTEP chapter, in a more conciliatory tone, expressed in a statement their goal of engaging in open dialogue and respect across differing views, though they were met with skepticism and disapproval from many residents.
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