Tom Homan, the border czar under Donald Trump's administration, issued a stern warning on Wednesday to migrant caravans moving through Mexico with hopes of entering the United States following the Democratic victory in the midterm elections. He emphasized that the shift in Congressional majority will not alter the White House's border security policies, and those attempting to enter the U.S. illegally will not be released into the country.
Homan's comments were made during an interview with Fox News and were shared by Rapid Response 47, the official White House rapid response account on X, which posted a clip of his remarks.
"The Congress might be turning blue, but the White House remains a deep red," Homan stated, referring to the colors traditionally associated with the Democratic and Republican parties.
Despite the election outcomes, Homan asserted that Trump retains control over the Executive Branch and will continue enforcing strict border measures with Mexico.
"These caravans can approach the border all they want. They will not be released into the United States," he warned.
Homan explained that migrants attempting to cross illegally will be sent back or face legal proceedings before deportation. Authorities might file charges and detain those convicted until they serve their sentences.
"We won't give an inch at this border," Homan declared, reaffirming that the U.S. government will not relax the border controls established by Trump.
He also called on the Mexican government to enhance its vigilance both on its southern border with Guatemala and its northern border with the United States. Homan insisted that Mexico should prevent illegal transit of foreigners through its territory and deploy security forces to halt the caravans' progress.
His statements came as Mexican authorities were also conducting operations to stop or disperse some of these groups.
The warning relates to recent mobilizations of Central American migrants that began moving through southern Mexico after the U.S. legislative elections on November 3. A Reuters report indicated that a caravan of approximately 1,500 individuals, mostly Central Americans, was moving from Tapachula in the Mexican state of Chiapas towards the United States.
The caravan, which originated in Honduras, includes people from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. It resumed its journey from Tapachula towards northern Mexico on Tuesday, with the EFE agency estimating the group at nearly 2,000 participants, although numbers vary by source.
The migrants are currently in southern Mexico, far from the U.S. border. Their immediate goal is to reach Mexico City, where some hope to seek federal support to continue their journey without being detained.
The Democratic Party's victory, regaining control of both Congressional chambers, has sparked hopes among some caravan members for potential changes in U.S. immigration policy. However, no new measures have been announced to allow these individuals entry into the United States. The new legislators are set to take office in January 2027, and any immigration reform must navigate the legislative process.
In addition to the northern-bound caravans, Mexican authorities on Tuesday prevented another group of around 100 migrants from entering the country from Guatemala. National Guard agents, Migration officials, and Chiapas police blocked the road, leading to several detentions, according to AFP reports.
Expectations raised by the election results also affect thousands of Cubans stranded in various Mexican cities. Mexican immigration law expert Irene Pascual recently analyzed possible scenarios for those hoping to seek asylum in the United States. She discussed the prospects for legislative changes following the Democratic victory, without presenting the election results as a border reopening or a guarantee of admission for migrants.
The presence of Cuban citizens in these movements has been a recurring theme throughout 2026. In September, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the Border Patrol was monitoring a caravan from Honduras that included Cuban migrants during its passage through Tapachula. At that time, U.S. authorities assured they were tracking the group's movements and were prepared to prevent illegal entries.
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Key Insights on U.S. Border Policies and Migrant Caravans
What did Tom Homan say about the Democratic victory's impact on border policies?
Tom Homan stated that despite the Democratic victory, the White House's border security policies would remain unchanged, and those attempting illegal entry will not be released in the U.S.
What actions did Homan urge the Mexican government to take?
Homan urged the Mexican government to strengthen vigilance on its borders and deploy security forces to prevent the transit of illegal migrants and halt caravan progress.
How has the Democratic victory affected migrant expectations?
The Democratic victory has raised hopes among migrants for potential changes in U.S. immigration policy, although no new measures have been announced to permit their entry.