Trump's 'border czar' considering family detention centers, 23 days to inauguration

Trump border czar to bring back family detention centers

WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump’s "border czar" said the use of family detention centers for migrants is "on the table." 

"It’s something we’re considering," said Tom Homan in an interview Thursday. "We’ve got to end catch-and-release – and that includes family units, too."

Family detention ended in 2021 soon after President Joe Biden took office. That included closing three ICE facilities with about 3,000 beds. 

"We’re going to need to construct family facilities," Homan said. "How many beds we’re going to need will depend on what the data says."

Homan was acting director of ICE during Trump’s first term, where he backed a "zero tolerance" policy that allowed young children to be separated from their parents. 

The U.S. cannot remove children who are born in the U.S. as they are U.S. citizens, but Homan said it’s up to migrant parents to decide whether they would split up their family. 

"Here’s the issue," said Homan. "You knew you were in the country illegally and chose to have a child. So you put your family in that position."

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Trump names Panama ambassador

Trump has tapped Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to serve as ambassador to Panama.

The announcement Wednesday came amongst comments from Trump that Panama was "ripping off" the United States on the Panama Canal. 

Trump also posted on Truth Social Wednesday that Chinese soldiers were illegally operating the canal "always making certain that the United States puts in Billions of Dollars in 'repair' money but will have absolutely nothing to say about 'anything.'"

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino denied those claims, saying it was "nonsense" and that there is "absolutely no Chinese interference."

Trump in his announcement said Cabrera is a "fierce fighter for America First principles." 

Cabrera served as the Florida state director for Trump’s 2020 campaign and was a member of the RNC Platform Committee.

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Canadian leaders meet with Trump

Two top Canadian ministers headed to Trump’s home in Florida on Thursday, according to FOX News. 

New Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly met with Trump and Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming "border czar," in Palm Beach, according to the Associated Press. 

The topic of discussion was border security and trade, as well as fentanyl trafficking and the potential impacts on Trump’s tariffs on goods. 

Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on imports from Canada, unless the country reduces the flow of migrants and fentanyl into the U.S. 

Comeau said in a statement before the meeting that a 25% tariff on Canadian goods would have "negative impacts" on both Canada and the U.S. 

On Wednesday, Trump referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the "Governor" of Canada, a callback to Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state. 

Biden condemns Russian attack on Ukraine

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden called Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine "outrageous." 

Russia launched an attack on Ukraine’s energy supplies and infrastructure early Christmas morning. 

"The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people’s access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid," Biden said in a statement. "Let me be clear: the Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace and safety, and the United States and the international community must continue to stand with Ukraine until it triumphs over Russia’s aggression." 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as "inhumane."

"Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack," he wrote on the social platform X. "What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine."