Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to retire, sources say

Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to Retire, Sources Report

Two senior officials within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed to NBC News that Gregory Bovino, the former head of the Border Patrol, will step down from his position by the end of the month. Bovino, who had previously served as the national commander of CBP, was reassigned to his earlier role as sector chief in El Centro, California, in January. This shift occurred amid heightened scrutiny following the deaths of two U.S. citizens during aggressive enforcement actions in key cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Bovino’s decision to retire aligns with the timeline of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure, as her final day was also set for the same date. In his capacity as commander, he reported directly to Noem and her top advisor, Corey Lewandowski. The 57-year-old Bovino was within one year of the mandatory retirement age for CBP agents, a detail that may have influenced his transition.

Reports of Bovino’s planned exit emerged after CBS News disclosed his intentions. His leadership in the Minneapolis crackdown, which included the use of force against protesters, led to significant backlash. During the operation, agents were accused of employing tactics that targeted individuals based on appearance and skin color, sparking five days of protests in Los Angeles and prompting a National Guard deployment in Chicago.

Legal Challenges and Tactic Criticism

Bovino’s methods faced legal scrutiny, including a lawsuit filed against him in California’s Kern County. The case alleged that he and other agents used deceptive tactics to encourage immigration arrests, even targeting U.S. citizens. A federal judge later criticized him for repeatedly misrepresenting the threats posed by immigrants and protesters, particularly after he claimed to have thrown a gas canister in response to being hit by a rock. Video evidence disproved this assertion, forcing him to retract the statement.

“When we discover any alleged or potential misconduct, we immediately refer it for investigation and cooperate fully with any criminal or administrative investigations,” stated a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson in response to the lawsuit.

During the Chicago operation, Bovino was directed to focus on “targeted” arrests rather than full-scale enforcement, a directive he reportedly found frustrating. His tactics, such as deploying gas canisters into crowds, led to a lawsuit and tensions with other administration officials. The Minneapolis crackdown, which claimed the lives of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, became a focal point of controversy. Good was shot three times, including in the head, during an encounter with ICE officer Jonathan Ross on January 7. Pretti died a week later after being fired upon multiple times by CBP officers, according to a DHS report, though it remained unclear whether both shots struck him.

Bovino’s enforcement approach extended beyond Minneapolis, with similar operations conducted in New Orleans and Charlotte. These actions were part of a broader strategy to intensify immigration control, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on aggressive border policies. His departure marks the end of a tenure defined by high-profile crackdowns and legal challenges, as noted by NBC News’ Senior Homeland Security Correspondent.