Incoming border czar tells illegal immigrants to 'self deport' ahead of Trump's term

President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, said Monday that those within the country illegally should "self-deport." When asked by Sean Hannity whether there would be a "grace period" for illegal immigrants to get prepared ahead of deportation, Homan said that "criminals and gang members get no grace period." Homan is a hardliner on breaking up the cartels that enable and facilitate illegal immigration.

He continued, "While we're out prioritizing the public safety threats and national security threats, if you wanna self-deport, you should self-deport because, again, we know who you are, and we're gonna come and find you."

"So if you wanna self-deport, that's fine. But criminals and gang members, they get no favors from this administration. You came to this country illegally, which is a crime. You committed crimes against United States citizens, some heinous crimes. You get no grace period. So we're coming for you," he added, saying that those who have not committed a crime beyond crossing into the US illegally can "put everything in order" during this time and "leave with their family all together."

When asked how people would return to their countries of origin, Homan responded that criminals would be "put on an airplane" and sent home. For others, he said, "they found their way across the world to come to the greatest nation on earth and they can find their way home. Either that, or I can give them a free airline ticket."

Homan, a former police officer and Border Patrol agent who served as acting ICE director in Trump's first term, was appointed to the border czar role on Monday. That role is currently held by Vice President Kamala Harris, under which a border crisis has ensued and record numbers of illegal immigrants entered the US.

Trump announced, "I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation’s Borders (“The Border Czar”), including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security."

"I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job."