The Trump administration is shifted focus of enforcement efforts against illegal immigration to take aim at American companies fueling the demand.
In an interview aired Sunday on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons said his agency isn’t just pursuing those in the country unlawfully, but also targeting the businesses that hire them.
“Not only are we focused on those individuals that are, you know, working here illegally, we’re focused on these American companies that are actually exploiting these laborers,” Lyons said during the interview.
He argued that employers who bring in unauthorized labor aren’t just breaking the law, they’re preying on vulnerable individuals who arrived in the U.S. seeking stability or escape from dangerous conditions.
“These people that came here for a better life. You know, either, you know, forced labor, child trafficking, you know, a lot of these work site cases — just isn’t a victimless crime of someone here working illegally,” he added.
“And that’s why we’re going there with these criminal warrants to focus on these American businesses that are trying to make an extra dollar on the backs of these people that came here for a better life.”
The Trump White House has wasted no time taking a more aggressive stance on immigration enforcement, which has reignited predictable backlash from Democratic leaders and progressive allies in the media.
On the same Sunday broadcast, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) voiced disapproval over ICE’s decision to allow its officers to wear masks, something the agency says is meant to protect agents and their families from potential retaliation.
“Well, first of all, let me just tell you that the masked men are not from Los Angeles, and so how their families could be retaliated against,” Bass said.
The mayor scoffed at ICE’s justification, suggesting it lacks credibility given that local law enforcement officers rarely conceal their identities.
“And then what is that to say to local law enforcement, the Los Angeles Police Department, none of whom are ever masked, who always identify themselves and even hand someone a business card. So that makes absolutely no sense at all,” she continued.
Lock Them Up! Russiagate is reigniting…
Obama, Clinton, Comey, and Brennan are all on the hook!
CLICK HERE to demand Russiagate conspirators got to prison!
Bass accused ICE personnel of appearing unofficial, saying many operate in plainclothes wearing vests labeled “police.”
“It looks like something that they could have gotten online,” she claimed.
Despite her remarks, Lyons defended the choice to permit masking in certain scenarios, citing rising security concerns.
He clarified that he does not personally favor the practice but won’t prohibit it if it helps ensure officer safety.
“However, if that’s a tool that the men and women of ICE to keep themselves and their family safe, then I will allow it,” Lyons stated.
“I do kind of push back on the criticism that they don’t identify themselves.”
According to Lyons, ICE agents have clear identifiers on their tactical gear and jackets to show who they are.
Elsewhere, ICE Director Tom Homan directly called out Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), who had questioned the reality of attacks on immigration agents.
During a segment aired by Fox News, Nadler had asked, “What attacks on ICE agents?”
Homan blasted the comment on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“This buffoon knows exactly what attacks — his party is the one encouraging them,” Homan wrote.
“ICE agents are facing an 830% increase in assaults because of smears from the left. Their words have consequences. We won’t let them pretend they don’t.”
Just days earlier, Homan spoke on “Mornings with Maria” on Fox Business Network, where he accused congressional Democrats of fueling violence against immigration officers.
“We’re at a point now with those who enforce the law, the bad guys, and those who broke the law, the victims,” he said.
Homan claimed Democratic lawmakers have emboldened fringe elements by normalizing hateful rhetoric against federal agents.
“If a member of Congress can compare ICE to a terrorist group or to the Nazis, then they have the right to attack them and attack their families,” he continued.
“So, the members of Congress need to stop the rhetoric, because it’s — I said two months ago, if this rhetoric continues, there will be bloodshed, and I was right,” he noted.
Tom Homan on attacks against ICE agents: Democratic lawmakers have emboldened ‘nuts’ on the left. pic.twitter.com/yvT2YCr8hz
— Mornings with Maria (@MorningsMaria) July 18, 2025
‘Unfortunately, I was right. A man was killed trying to attack a Border Patrol facility in Texas.”
Homan was referring to a violent incident that took place on July 7, 2025, in McAllen, Texas, where an armed suspect opened fire on a Border Patrol station.
One officer was wounded before the gunman was shot and killed by law enforcement.
According to law enforcement officials, a separate July 4th assault was planned against ICE officers in Alvarado, Texas.
Eleven people now face charges related to what authorities are calling a “planned ambush.”
The group reportedly set off fireworks to distract the agents, vandalized government vehicles with spray paint, and then fired semiautomatic rifles—injuring one police officer in the neck.
“ICE is enforcing the laws that Congress enacted. If Congress doesn’t like what ICE is doing, then change the law. They’re not making this up,” Homan asserted.
He added that ICE personnel are carrying out deportations ordered by immigration judges and simply following their legal obligations.
“And as far as whoever — what — the other people ICE is arresting, they’re arresting the people that federal immigration judge’s order removed,” he commented.
“Their job is to execute those orders. ICE is doing their job, making America safe every day. So, the rhetoric needs to stop.”
Watch Sunday’s full episode of “Face The Nation” here:
Arrest the dimwits for their inciting rhetoric. If they spend some nights in jail the idiots who are dispicable might learn to watch their hateful mouths since then it will get them jailes and charged!
Maybe that will get them voted out too. Most Americans want the illegal aliens kicked out and back to their own countries. We don’t want to pay to feed them, educate their kids, or help them if they cannot manage this nation legally. Point being, come here legally or do not come at all.
And do go after the employers like you are who are hiring them to save chump change. If it is not chump change, it is still illegal and there are US citizens who will do the work for a fair wage. The business owners do have to go through the usual hiring practices that I am sure they avoid with illegals. Cheap A holes to work for also I am sure!
Prosecute Both sides then since Business pays them lower rate