Tom Homan, White House Border Czar, traveled to San Diego, Saturday morning, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, Rodney Scott. They came to deliver a year-end assessment of immigration enforcement during the Trump Administration’s first 11 months. A press conference was held along the border in an area known as Spooners Mesa. “Sex trafficking has plummeted. Fentanyl has plummeted. (The number of) known terrorists coming across the border has plummeted, “Homan said. “A secure border means a stronger national security.”  Although, he did not provide documentation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website lists statistics showing significant decreases in cross border actions this year.  “The economic security of this nation is just as important as the physical entries here. The President’s tariff initiative has brought in $23-billion in increased tariffs,” Commissioner Scott told reporters. Although, he did not cite a source for that number. This week, the Department of Interior created something called a “national defense area” on the border from San Ysidro to Otay. A directive specifically defines a stretch of the border now considered the jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy. The administration said the militarization is needed because of alleged high traffic illegal border crossings. “It actually creates a mechanism for the military to enhance their readiness, and, at the same time expand the defense mission. We thank the Department of War for all the assistance,” Scott said. A border patrol agent stands guard, Saturday, during a visit by the Border Czar and the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, San Ysidro, Calif, December 13, 2025. “Really from our point of view, they are (immigration enforcement) lowlights,” said Pedro Rios, Director of the American Friends Service Committee. The organization supports immigrants and social justice at the border. Rios said, “When someone crosses into this newly designated military zone, they won’t only face charges for civil immigration violations. They might also face trespassing charges for what would be the equivalent of crossing into a military base.”  Militarized zones at the southern border have already been implemented in parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. While Homan and Commissioner Scott did not provide arrest numbers for those states, Rios told NBC 7 that his organization will monitor and report on the military’s enforcement efforts in San Diego county. ...read more read less