'Couldn't finish it all': Trump's border czar tries food at ICE detention facility after complaints

Published 7 June 2026 · general

Trump administration border czar Tom Homan says he paid an unannounced visit to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility and ate lunch alongside

Trump administration border czar Tom Homan says he paid an unannounced visit to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility and ate lunch alongside detainees after hearing complaints about the quality of food being served.Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Homan said he wanted to see for himself whether the meals were actually bad at the facility. Homan said he tried the same food as the detainees and got full quickly.He said: "I did a surprise visit on Saturday unannounced to eat lunch because I was told the food was bad. So I sat in the cafeteria right along with the detainees — and of course had my security with me to make sure there was no problems.

I had the same food, same trays that they had because I looked at what they're eating when I was eating — same exact same exact thing."Homan described what was being served: "Ate spaghetti and meat sauce, had green beans, had charred beans, rolls and butter, fruit drink, and I think it was a cake for dessert but I didn't eat the dessert."He added that the portion size was more than enough for him: "But it's... I'm not a small guy.I couldn't finish it all."Homan's remarks come amid longstanding complaints from detainees, Democrats and advocacy groups about food conditions inside ICE detention centres.

Over the years, detainees have claimed that meals were inadequate, spoiled or poorly prepared. Some have claimed they experienced hunger, weight loss or illness while in custody. Recent complaints from facilities in several states have included allegations of food shortages, inedible meals and contaminated food. Some detainees have also reported finding worms in food served at detention centres.Past inspections by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General have also identified concerns at some facilities, including expired and mouldy food, spoiled meat and unsafe food-handling practices.During a visit to an ICE facility in California, Congressman Ro Khanna said detainees told him they had been served food containing rocks and described poor living conditions and inadequate access to medical care.

Khanna said he was "horrified" by the accounts he heard from detainees. Moreover, social media users called the interview ICE propaganda and that detained immigrants do not actually get to eat what Homan described.