Tom Homan, Donald Trump's border tsar, warned months ago that the administration's aggressive immigration crackdown could erode public support. The veteran homeland security official told NBC in June that prioritizing immigrants with criminal records would maintain American public backing.

Homan was deployed to Minneapolis in January to defuse tensions after federal agents killed two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both 37. The operation faced heavy criticism for sweeping up children and non-criminals. Trump expressed concern about the optics of these tactics, which had been led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino.

The administration has shifted to a "softer touch" approach after recognizing the political liability of heavy-handed ICE operations. Homan, who served under both Obama and Trump administrations, advocates targeting immigrants with criminal histories rather than mass arrests. His appointment followed the replacement of the hardline "commander at large" Bovino with a more measured enforcement strategy.

Quick Fact: There has been a 2,450 per cent increase in the number of people with no criminal record being held in ICE detention, according to a new report by the American Immigration Council.