Border czar Tom Homan clashes with CBS interviewer over ICE migrant deaths, asks for Biden-era data

Border czar Tom Homan accused a CBS journalist of asking a “loaded question” in a Friday interview about how ICE treats detained illegal migrants, asking him whether he gathered statistics about migrant deaths under the Biden administration.CBS News’ immigration correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez asked Homan about deaths in ICE custody under the Trump administration, noting that this year could set a “new record high.”“We looked at official ICE data, sir, and found that 57 people have died in the agency’s custody so far under this administration,” Montoya-Galvez said.“In fact, somebody was just reported to have died in ICE custody today by the agency.

2026 could set a new record high in the number of detainees dying.What is being done to prevent that? And I know one partial explanation is that more people are being detained and, so tragically, more people are dying.

But that can’t be the only explanation, can it be?”“How many people died during the Biden administration?” Homan immediately replied, followed by a long pause.“How many people died in custody during the Biden administration? Do you know?”“A significant number,” Montoya-Galvez replied.“Do you know?” Homan pressed further.“But this is going to be the highest year in 2026,” Montoya-Galvez continued.

“I’m just asking if the pace continues —”“Do you know how many died during the Biden administration?” Homan pressed again.“I don’t have the data here,” the CBS interviewer admitted.“Of course you don’t,” Homan said.“Again, it’s another loaded question against the Trump administration.”Homan said that ICE maintains the highest standards for detention centers.“We have the highest detention standards in industry, higher than any state or federal institution.

Our deaths in custody … are among the lowest of any state prison or Bureau of Prisons.Numbers are up because our population has doubled in custody.

We got over 70 — I think the ...