Businessman Touts Homan Ties to Win Government Contracts Amid Trump Deportation Push

Trading on Tom Homan: Inside the Push to Cash In on Trump Administration's Deportation Campaign A Pennsylvania businessman who had Tom Homan on his payroll led companies to believe his connections to the future border czar could help advance their bids for government work, industry executives said. In 2021, Charles Sowell, a consultant with ties to the Republican Party, reached out to Homan on LinkedIn, seeking advice on border contracting work. The two men built a rapport based partly on their shared criticisms of then-President Joe Biden's border policies. By 2023, Sowell was touting his connections to Homan as a way to secure government contracts. Industry executives who spoke with ProPublica said Sowell's claims were credible and helped companies win lucrative deals. "He would say, 'I have a guy at ICE,' or 'I know someone who knows someone at Customs,'" said one executive, who asked not to be named due to fear of retribution. "It was like having a magic wand." Homan, a three-decade veteran of the federal government, had just finished a stint as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His connections to Sowell raised questions about whether Homan's influence was being used for personal gain. Background on Tom Homan ------------------------ Tom Homan is a former ICE Acting Director who served under President Donald Trump. He has been a vocal critic of Biden's border policies, which he believes are too lenient. Homan's connections to Sowell and other industry executives have raised concerns about the use of his influence for personal gain. Industry Experts Weigh In ------------------------- Immigration experts say that Homan's involvement in government contracting raises red flags. "It's a classic case of crony capitalism," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies. "When you have someone with Tom Homan's influence pushing companies to bid on contracts, it creates an uneven playing field." Sowell's claims about his connections to Homan were not limited to government contracting. He also claimed to have access to high-ranking officials at ICE and Customs, which he used to promote his own business ventures. Current Status -------------- The investigation into Sowell's dealings with Homan is ongoing. ProPublica has obtained documents showing that Sowell was paid by companies seeking to win government contracts. The exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. Next Developments ----------------- As the investigation continues, questions remain about whether Homan's influence was used for personal gain. Industry executives say they are waiting for more information before making any judgments. "We're all just trying to navigate this complex landscape," said one executive. "But if it turns out that Tom Homan was using his position for personal gain, that would be a huge scandal." This article is part of ProPublica's ongoing investigation into the Trump administration's deportation campaign and its impact on immigrant communities. *Reporting by Propublica.*