Tom Homan speaks at Turning Point USA chapter event at UTEP

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)-- Tom Homan, the U.S. border czar, will be speaking at a Turning Point USA Chapter event at UTEP.

A group called El Chuco Habla is planning a protest on campus at the Leech Grove, "free speech area" at 7 p.m. Some UTEP students are also planning a protest called the Student Speak Up: Student Assembly from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in the same area.

Students and community members gathered on campus to protest a controversial visit by a from Homan saying his presence created fear among immigrants, mixed-status families and students of color.

“Every single one of you are standing up against everything that’s happening in that room,” one protester said. “It’s against corruption. It’s against racism. It’s against this regime. Each and every one of us want to say something, rightfully so, because we are the future.”

Other protesters said the visit was deeply unsettling for students from immigrant communities.

“His presence here is incredibly disrespectful to the community of immigrants, of mixed-status families, of people of color who work hard and are being demonized by his racist rhetoric,” one attendee said.

Some students told organizers they worried the event could lead to immigration enforcement activity on campus.

“Students were fearful, who said, ‘What if we have an ICE raid? What are we going to do? What if we get detained? What if we get expelled from the university?’” another protester said. “It makes students, especially international students, feel very intimidated and very scared.”

For some, the protest was personal. One student said their grandfather had been deported for a decade.

“If it wasn’t for him crossing, I wouldn’t be the first-generation student to have this opportunity,” the student said.

It wasn’t only students who joined the demonstration. Carlos Aceves, a member of the border advocacy group El Chuco Habla, said the political climate in the United States feels increasingly dangerous.

“Rights are being terminated. Services are being cut. People are suffering,” he said. “I feel like we’re in Germany in 1933, and we have to speak up.”

Security around the event was heavy. Campus police, state troopers and local law enforcement were visible throughout the area, and helicopters and drones circled overhead as part of the security response.

Homan's speech goes over border security

Tom Homan spoke for over an hour to a packed house at the Undergraduate Learning Center at UTEP. He went over border security and the importance of having border security during this time.

"We have the best border security in the history of this nation under President Trump," he said.

Homan was met with a standing ovation when he entered the room and chants of "USA". He had critics in the room as well, some shouting out during the speech. Homan responded to them by saying, "I'm not a racist. I have a heart. And the best thing you can do for the safety of this country and to save lives is secure the border."

He answered questions for around 30 minutes after his speech as well. Students from UTEP's Turning Point chapter as well as attendees asked questions about a myriad of topics. Towards the end, one student asked Homan about their concerns regarding the Muslim population in the country.

Homan responded by saying if they are in the country illegally, they'll be dealt with like every other illegal migrant. He also said, "Watch what happens in the near future."

Homan said he's like to visit El Paso again soon if his schedule allows it.