Trump's Catholic Border Czar Lashes Out at Pope Over Immigration

Tom Homan, a self-described 'lifelong Catholic,' tells the Vatican to 'stay out of it' on border policies.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:05am

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A moody, cinematic painting of a solitary Catholic church in a dimly lit urban setting, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the tensions surrounding the intersection of religion and politics.The clash between a Catholic border czar and the Pope reflects the deep divisions within the faith over immigration policy.Chicago Today

Tom Homan, a former Trump administration border official and self-proclaimed 'lifelong Catholic,' has lashed out at Pope Leo XIV over the pontiff's criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies. Homan told reporters that the Catholic Church should 'stay out of immigration' if they 'don't know what they're talking about,' despite the Bible's teachings on the humane treatment of immigrants. The public spat comes as the Trump-appointed 'border czar' defends the president's hardline approach to immigration, which the pope has repeatedly condemned.

Why it matters

This clash between a Catholic Trump loyalist and the leader of the Catholic Church highlights the deep divisions within the faith over immigration policy. It also reflects the broader political tensions between the Trump administration and the Vatican, which has been an outspoken critic of the president's treatment of immigrants and refugees.

The details

Homan, a former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, argued that the Catholic Church should 'stick to matters of morality' and 'let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy.' He claimed the church doesn't understand the 'atrocities' happening at the border, citing graphic examples of immigrant deaths. Homan defended Trump's border policies, saying they have 'saved thousands of lives' by disrupting human trafficking networks.

  • On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV criticized Donald Trump's war on Iran.
  • On Monday night, Vice President JD Vance told the pope to 'stay in his lane' on political matters.
  • On Tuesday, just before midnight, Trump reacted angrily to the pope's comments on Twitter.

The players

Tom Homan

A former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Trump administration, who describes himself as a 'lifelong Catholic.'.

Pope Leo XIV

The current leader of the Catholic Church, who has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who has clashed with the Vatican over his hardline immigration stance.

JD Vance

The current vice president and a recent Catholic convert, who told the pope to 'stay in his lane' on political matters.

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What they’re saying

“'Look, I'm not gonna speak for the president. I'm speaking for myself, a lifelong Catholic. I wish they would stay out of immigration if they don't know what they're talking about.'”

— Tom Homan, Former Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

“'It would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality, to stick to matters of what's going on in the Catholic Church and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy.'”

— JD Vance, Vice President

“'I have no fear of the Trump administration.'”

— Pope Leo XIV

What’s next

The ongoing feud between the Trump administration and the Vatican over immigration policy is likely to continue, with both sides digging in on their positions. It remains to be seen whether the Catholic Church will take any further action to challenge the Trump administration's border policies.

The takeaway

This clash highlights the deep divisions within the Catholic faith over immigration, as well as the broader political tensions between the Trump White House and the Vatican. It underscores the challenges facing religious leaders who seek to influence public policy on issues like immigration, which have become highly polarized along partisan lines.