Homan Invites Pope to ICE Patrol, Immigration Clash Continues

0:00It's April 23rd. This is U.S. News Today, AI-powered stories shaping the nation. I'm Cory with the story. Tom Homan, Trump's border security chief, just invited Pope Leo XIV to tag along on an ice patrol. This comes right in the middle of a heated back and forth between the Trump team and the Vatican over how to handle immigration. Homan dropped the invite at a turning point USA event in Baylor University, pushing for the Chicago-born Pope. Our first American pontiff elected back in May 2025 to see their enforcement up close. He didn't hold back defending the administration's tough stance, slamming the open borders under Biden as straight up inhumane. Homan argued that promising free entry lures desperate folks into cartel traps, costing lives and savings. Secure the border, he says, and you save women from assault, kids from death, and keep fentanyl and terrorists out. Other stats back him up somewhat. Southwest encounters are way down from Biden-era peaks, even with a bump in March over February.

1:05Trump slashed illegal crossings by 96.7 percent, per the numbers. Meanwhile, Pope Leo's been vocal too, saying countries can control their frontiers, but migrants need dignity, not animal treatment. The Pope tried cooling things off on his flight back from Africa, insisting he's not debating Trump. As President J.D. Vance gave a nod, saying, he's grateful for that de-escalation. Weeks ago, Homan even told the Vatican to stay out of immigration debates, with Leo having no U.S. trips planned for 2026 that right along looks off the table for now, leaving the policy clash to simmer on, without a papal eyewitness.