We’re Gonna Flood the Zone” – Tom Homan Puts Sanctuary Cities on Notice During Press Conference on Illegal Alien who Shot CBP Officer in Face in NYC
During a fiery press conference Monday, former acting ICE Director Tom Homan issued a blistering rebuke to sanctuary city policies after a Customs and Border Protection officer was shot in the face by an illegal alien in New York City. Standing beside Governor Kristi Noem and Trump campaign officials, Homan vowed federal authorities would “flood the zone” and hold sanctuary cities accountable for putting American lives at risk.
The accused shooter, Franklin Vilorio-Guzman, a 19-year-old illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, has a record of multiple interactions with law enforcement and was released back onto the streets by New York’s lax policies. Vilorio-Guzman allegedly shot the CBP officer during an operation in a Bronx parking garage. Officials say the officer remains in critical condition.
Homan didn’t mince words. “We’re gonna flood the zone,” he said. “Sanctuary cities have blood on their hands. This is a direct result of lawless policies that prioritize criminal aliens over American citizens and law enforcement.”
The incident ignited national outrage, particularly among conservatives and law enforcement advocates who have long warned that sanctuary jurisdictions create safe havens for dangerous criminals. “If this alien had been detained the first time law enforcement encountered him, this officer would be home with his family,” Homan added.
Governor Kristi Noem echoed his concerns, stating, “This is exactly why President Trump has prioritized border security and eliminating sanctuary cities. We must empower ICE and CBP, not handcuff them.”
The suspect, sources confirm, entered the U.S. illegally and has been involved in several violent altercations. Despite being flagged for deportation, New York’s sanctuary status prohibited local officials from cooperating with ICE detainers. This policy, promoted by progressive city leaders, has repeatedly allowed criminal aliens to reoffend.
Homan blasted city officials for their “open defiance” of federal law. “We are not going to sit back while Americans are harmed. The gloves are off. If you’re a sanctuary city, expect enforcement operations to increase dramatically.”
Sanctuary cities like New York and Los Angeles have long drawn criticism for protecting illegal immigrants from federal deportation efforts, even those with criminal records. Under these policies, local police are barred from sharing information with ICE, often resulting in dangerous individuals being released into the community.
This latest case, Homan argued, is just the latest tragic example of failed leftist immigration policies. “The people pushing sanctuary policies are not the ones burying their children or visiting loved ones in the ICU,” he said. “They hide behind rhetoric while others suffer the consequences.”
Critics of sanctuary cities point to repeated instances of criminal aliens being shielded from deportation and then committing violent crimes. In this case, the CBP agent was part of a federal task force monitoring criminal activity involving illegal immigrants, when he was ambushed and shot.
Former President Trump, who has made immigration enforcement a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign, weighed in on Truth Social. “Our brave border agent shot in New York by an ILLEGAL ALIEN protected by Democrat policies. This madness must stop. We will END sanctuary cities and RESTORE LAW AND ORDER!”
CBP officials expressed solidarity with the injured officer’s family, praising his courage and commitment to duty. “He was simply doing his job—protecting the American people—and paid a terrible price because of political negligence,” said one department spokesperson.
While the Biden administration has remained mostly silent, critics argue that the White House’s rollback of Trump-era immigration policies has emboldened sanctuary jurisdictions and led to a surge in illegal immigration.
“This shooting is the inevitable outcome of a system designed to fail,” said one federal agent who asked to remain anonymous. “We’re operating with one hand tied behind our backs.”
Law enforcement unions and conservative lawmakers are now calling for renewed congressional action to strip federal funding from sanctuary cities. “If these cities want to defy federal law, they shouldn’t get federal dollars,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) said.
Tom Homan has pledged that, if Trump returns to office, there will be an aggressive federal crackdown on cities and states that defy immigration law. “We’re going to bring ICE back to full strength,” he stated. “We’re going to remove criminal aliens and restore respect for the rule of law.”
For many conservatives, the New York shooting symbolizes the broader crisis of leadership in Democratic-run cities, where ideology has replaced accountability and public safety. As one commentator put it, “We don’t need more excuses—we need action.”
The wounded officer’s identity has not been released pending family notification. The investigation is ongoing, and federal authorities are expected to file additional charges against Vilorio-Guzman. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials are bracing for a broader crackdown as Homan’s words echo through city halls across the country: “You’ve been warned. We’re coming.”
Keywords:
Tom Homan, sanctuary cities, illegal alien, CBP officer shot, New York City shooting, Franklin Vilorio-Guzman, ICE enforcement, Trump 2024, Kristi Noem, border security, criminal aliens, conservative news
