Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to retire, sources say
Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to retire, sources say
Two Customs and Border Protection officials informed NBC News that Gregory Bovino, the U.S. Border Patrol leader who became emblematic of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement initiatives, will retire by the end of the month. Bovino was previously relieved of his national command role in January and reassigned to his prior position as sector chief in El Centro, California. This shift followed the fatal encounters of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and the intensified immigration operations in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Retirement Timing and Eligibility
Bovino’s departure aligns with the final day of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure, as announced by President Trump. In his capacity as commander, he reported directly to Noem and her chief strategist, Corey Lewandowski. His retirement is also timely, as he is one year away from the mandatory 57-year retirement age within the CBP.
Controversies and Tactics
An internal email shared with NBC News highlighted Bovino’s frustration in Chicago during the fall, when he was instructed to focus on “targeted” arrests instead of comprehensive enforcement. This directive led to a notable incident where agents reportedly deployed gas canisters into protest crowds, sparking a legal challenge. The same strategy was later used in Minneapolis, where he oversaw the Operation Metro Surge crackdown. Two federal officers fatally shot Renee Good on January 7 as she navigated a vehicle during an ICE encounter, and Alex Pretti was killed on January 24 after being fired upon multiple times by CBP officers, according to a DHS report.
While the report did not specify whether both shots struck Pretti, it underscored the aggressive measures employed during the operation. Bovino’s tactics, which included surprise raids at workplaces and residences, had already triggered protests in Los Angeles, where agents emerged from a rental truck in a Home Depot parking lot to detain day laborers. These actions led to five days of demonstrations, prompting Trump to deploy the National Guard and Marines.
Legal Challenges and Accountability
Before his national assignment, Bovino faced legal scrutiny in Kern County, California, where he was accused of using similar methods against agricultural workers. The lawsuit alleged that individuals were removed from vehicles and targeted based on appearance and skin color. It also claimed border officials employed deceptive practices to encourage voluntary departures. In response, the Department of Homeland Security stated,
“Border Patrol enforcement actions are highly targeted. When we discover any alleged or potential misconduct, we immediately refer it for investigation and cooperate fully with any criminal or administrative investigations.”
Bovino’s methods drew criticism from a federal judge who ruled against the use of chemical agents in residential areas, a policy he had previously violated. The judge cited his repeated assertions about threats posed by immigrants and protesters, which were later contradicted by video evidence. For instance, Bovino initially claimed he threw a gas canister after being hit by a rock, but this story unraveled when footage showed otherwise.
Following his return to California, Bovino’s leadership in the Minneapolis crackdown became a focal point. The administration’s decision to allow his tactics in New Orleans, Charlotte, and other North Carolina locations further cemented his role in shaping aggressive enforcement strategies. As CBP transitions, Bovino’s retirement marks the end of an era defined by high-profile operations and legal disputes.
