Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to retire, sources say
Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to Retire, Sources Say
Leadership Shift and Enforcement Context
According to two Customs and Border Protection officials, Gregory Bovino, the former head of the U.S. Border Patrol, will step down from his position by the end of the month. Bovino had been serving as the agency’s national commander since January, but has since reverted to his role as sector chief in El Centro, California. This reassignment follows the fatal encounters of two U.S. citizens during aggressive immigration operations in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Timing and Retirement Eligibility
Bovino’s departure aligns with the conclusion of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure, as announced by President Donald Trump. As commander, Bovino directly reported to Noem and her advisor Corey Lewandowski. He was also within a year of reaching the mandatory retirement age of 57, which is set by the Customs and Border Protection agency.
Controversial Tactics and Legal Scrutiny
During his time in Chicago, Bovino faced criticism after being directed to prioritize “targeted” arrests over comprehensive enforcement. This led to frustration, as evidenced by an internal email obtained by NBC News. His methods, including deploying gas canisters into protest crowds, drew legal action and conflict with other administration figures. A federal judge later rebuked him for violating orders on chemical agent use and for fabricating claims about threats during an incident where he alleged he was attacked with a rock.
“When we discover any alleged or potential misconduct, we immediately refer it for investigation and cooperate fully with any criminal or administrative investigations,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated in a response to prior inquiries.
Minneapolis and Chicago Incidents
The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January sparked renewed attention. Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer during an encounter in which she was driving, while Pretti was struck multiple times by gunfire from CBP officers. The exact impact of the shots remained unclear, according to a DHS report. These events occurred amid the Minneapolis immigration crackdown, which Bovino oversaw before being reassigned.
Previous Operations and Protests
Before his national role, Bovino had already implemented sweeping immigration actions in Los Angeles, targeting workplaces and residences of immigrants. One notable incident involved agents emerging from a rental truck in a Home Depot parking lot to arrest day laborers, igniting five days of protests. Trump later deployed the National Guard to quell unrest. Similar tactics were also used in New Orleans and Charlotte, among other locations in North Carolina.
Legal Challenges in Kern County
In California’s Kern County, Bovino’s enforcement strategies were previously challenged in a lawsuit. The case alleged that border officials used deceptive methods to encourage immigrants to leave the country, while also targeting individuals based on appearance and skin color. The claim was later contradicted by video evidence when Bovino admitted to throwing a gas canister after being hit by a rock, only to backtrack the story.
As NBC News’ Senior Homeland Security Correspondent, Suzanne Gamboa contributed to the reporting on this story.
