Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to retire, sources say
Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino to Step Down, Sources Confirm
Two Customs and Border Protection officials informed NBC News that Gregory Bovino, the head of the U.S. Border Patrol, will resign from his position by the end of the month. Bovino was reassigned to his former role as sector chief in El Centro, California, following his removal as the agency’s national commander in January. This decision followed the fatalities of two U.S. citizens during aggressive immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Career Shift and Retirement Plans
Bovino’s departure aligns with the date President Trump designated as the final day for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In his capacity as commander, he reported directly to Noem and her senior adviser Corey Lewandowski. The 57-year-old is also eligible for retirement, with one year remaining before reaching the mandatory retirement age set by CBP.
NBC News obtained an email revealing Bovino’s frustration in Chicago during the fall when he was instructed to focus on “targeted” arrests rather than “full scale immigration enforcement.” CBS News was the first to report his intention to retire. Bovino had been overseeing Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis until January, when he was withdrawn from the operation.
Tactics and Controversies in Minneapolis
Bovino’s aggressive methods, including the use of gas canisters during protests, sparked legal action in Chicago. A federal judge criticized him after he deployed chemical agents in residential areas, disregarding a court order to limit their use. The judge summoned Bovino following allegations of repeated falsehoods regarding the threats from immigrants and protesters.
Video evidence forced Bovino to retract a claim that he had thrown a gas canister after being struck by a rock. The incidents in Minneapolis led to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both 37, during the crackdown. Good was shot three times, including in the head, on January 7 during an encounter with ICE officer Jonathan Ross. Pretti’s death occurred on January 24 when two CBP officers fired multiple rounds at him, according to a DHS report.
Earlier Enforcement Actions and Legal Challenges
Before his national role, Bovino faced legal scrutiny in Kern County, California, for employing similar tactics against agricultural workers. This included the arrest of several individuals, including at least one U.S. citizen. The enforcement actions also triggered five days of protests in Los Angeles, where agents abruptly exited a rental truck in a Home Depot parking lot to detain day laborers. Trump later deployed the National Guard and Marines in response to the demonstrations.
Border Patrol’s enforcement actions are described as “highly targeted” in a statement attributed to a DHS spokesperson. The agency pledged full cooperation with investigations into alleged misconduct, stating they “immediately refer” any issues for review.
Author’s Note
I am NBC News’ Senior Homeland Security Correspondent. Suzanne Gamboa is a national reporter for NBC News.
