Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to retire, sources say
Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to retire, sources say
Two officials from Customs and Border Protection confirmed to NBC News that Gregory Bovino, the former head of the U.S. Border Patrol, will retire by the end of the month. Bovino had previously stepped down as CBP’s national commander in January and reverted to his role as sector chief in El Centro, California. This shift occurred following the deaths of two U.S. citizens and the escalation of aggressive immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
The timing of his departure coincides with the date President Donald Trump set for the final day of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure. While serving as commander, Bovino reported directly to Noem and her senior adviser, Corey Lewandowski. He was also eligible for retirement, just one year short of the CBP’s mandatory retirement age of 57.
An email obtained by NBC News highlighted Bovino’s frustration in Chicago during the fall when he was directed to focus on “targeted” arrests rather than full-scale immigration operations. CBS News was the first to report his plans to retire. Earlier in January, Bovino and other CBP agents were moved from Minneapolis, where he had led Operation Metro Surge, following the deaths of two individuals during the crackdown.
Controversial Tactics and Legal Challenges
Bovino’s methods, such as hurling gas canisters at protest crowds, led to a lawsuit in Chicago. The incident also sparked disputes with other administration officials. A federal judge criticized him after he used chemical agents in residential areas, disregarding a court order to limit their application. The judge summoned Bovino back into court, citing repeated claims that he exaggerated threats from immigrants and protesters.
“When we discover any alleged or potential misconduct, we immediately refer it for investigation and cooperate fully with any criminal or administrative investigations,” said a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security.
In one instance, Bovino claimed he had thrown a gas canister after being hit by a rock. However, video evidence later contradicted his account, forcing him to retract the statement. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both 37 years old, occurred during his Minneapolis operation. Good was shot three times, including in the head, on January 7 while moving her vehicle during an encounter with ICE officer Jonathan Ross. Pretti’s death followed on January 24, when two CBP officers fired multiple rounds at him, according to a Homeland Security report. The report did not clarify whether both firearms struck Pretti.
Before leading the Minneapolis campaign, Bovino had conducted sweeping arrests in Los Angeles, targeting immigrants at workplaces and homes. One event saw agents emerging from a rental truck in a Home Depot parking lot to detain day laborers, sparking five days of protests that prompted Trump to deploy the National Guard and Marines. The administration also extended similar tactics to New Orleans and parts of North Carolina.
Earlier, Bovino faced legal action in California’s Kern County for using comparable methods against agricultural workers. This included allegations that individuals were removed from vehicles and targeted based on their appearance and skin color. The lawsuit also claimed border officials employed deceptive tactics to encourage people to leave the country. At the time, the agency was undergoing a transition.
I am NBC News’ Senior Homeland Security Correspondent. Suzanne Gamboa is a national reporter for NBC News.