Former acting ICE Director and current White House border enforcement adviser Tom Homan issued a stark warning this week, signaling that officials in so-called “sanctuary cities” could face criminal consequences if they are found to be obstructing federal immigration enforcement.

Homan made the remarks Thursday while speaking with reporters outside the White House. When asked about President Donald Trump’s recently signed executive order threatening to cut federal funding to jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities, a reporter pressed him further: Why not arrest local leaders who are allegedly shielding undocumented immigrants from deportation?

Homan paused, smiled slightly, and delivered a brief but ominous response: “Wait until you see what’s coming.”

The comment immediately drew attention, reinforcing Homan’s long-standing position that the administration intends to aggressively enforce federal immigration law—not only against undocumented immigrants, but also against anyone who actively assists in hiding them from authorities.

Homan has repeatedly warned, both before and after Trump’s return to office, that individuals who aid or abet the harboring of people in the country illegally could face serious legal consequences. According to Homan, this includes public officials who use their positions to interfere with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

His comments came just days after federal authorities arrested two Democratic judges in separate states, cases that have intensified debate over the limits of judicial authority and cooperation with immigration enforcement.

In Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, 65, was taken into custody and charged with two felony counts. Federal prosecutors allege that she helped an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest by ICE agents who were present at the courthouse.

According to the criminal complaint, the incident occurred on April 18, after Eduardo Flores-Ruiz—an undocumented immigrant from Mexico—appeared before Judge Dugan for a pretrial hearing. Flores-Ruiz faces three misdemeanor battery charges. Authorities allege that Dugan assisted him in leaving the courthouse in a manner designed to evade waiting immigration officers.

Despite those efforts, federal agents later pursued and apprehended Flores-Ruiz several blocks away from the courthouse, according to court filings.

Attorney General Pam Bondi described the encounter in blunt terms during a television interview, alleging that Judge Dugan angrily confronted ICE agents inside her courtroom. Bondi said the judge was visibly upset, raised her voice, and ordered the agents to leave and consult with the chief judge.

“You can’t make this up,” Bondi said, emphasizing that judges are not exempt from federal law.

A separate case in New Mexico further fueled the administration’s message. Former Judge Joel Cano and his wife were arrested and charged with harboring an undocumented immigrant believed to be associated with Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan-based criminal gang. The Trump administration has formally designated the group as a terrorist organization, along with MS-13.

Federal investigators allege that the Canos not only concealed the individual but also provided him with access to firearms. Authorities say photographs recovered during the investigation appear to show the suspect posing with weapons while on the Canos’ property.

Following the arrests, Homan addressed the issue directly in a statement posted on social media, stressing that professional status does not place anyone above the law.

“No one should be surprised,” Homan wrote. “I’ve said repeatedly that people are free to disagree with immigration policy or even choose not to assist ICE. But there is a line you cannot cross.”

Homan warned that actively obstructing enforcement operations or knowingly concealing undocumented immigrants from federal authorities constitutes a felony offense. “If you cross that line, you will be prosecuted,” he said, adding, “More to come.”

The administration’s actions reflect a broader strategy to pressure sanctuary jurisdictions into compliance by combining funding threats with criminal enforcement. Supporters argue that these measures are necessary to restore the rule of law and ensure public safety, particularly when undocumented individuals accused of crimes are involved.

Critics, however, contend that the approach risks politicizing law enforcement and intimidating local officials and judges. They argue that sanctuary policies are designed to promote trust between immigrant communities and local authorities, not to obstruct justice.

Still, Homan and other administration officials have made clear that they view deliberate interference with ICE operations as a serious crime, regardless of motive. The recent arrests appear to underscore that message—and suggest that additional cases could follow.

As legal battles over immigration authority continue to unfold, Homan’s cryptic warning has left officials in sanctuary jurisdictions watching closely, uncertain of how far federal enforcement may go next.