Border Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino Retires After Controversial Tenure

Bovino became a face of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics in major cities

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:18am

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Gregory Bovino, a 55-year-old Border Patrol agent who rose to prominence for his aggressive tactics during immigration crackdowns in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis, has announced his plans to retire in the coming weeks. Bovino joined the Border Patrol in 1996 and steadily climbed the ranks, becoming known for his 'turn and burn' approach to racking up arrests, often using force and chemical agents against demonstrators.

Why it matters

Bovino's tactics and public persona as the face of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts drew significant controversy and criticism, with accusations that he used excessive force and violated civil liberties. His retirement marks the end of a divisive chapter in the Border Patrol's history.

The details

Bovino became commander of the administration's immigration crackdown in Los Angeles in 2019, leading raids near Home Depots, car washes, and in MacArthur Park, where agents smashed car windows and used chemical agents against demonstrators. He then took his tactics to Chicago, the Twin Cities in Minnesota, and other major cities. Bovino was known for his aggressive, militaristic approach, often appearing in tactical gear.

  • Bovino joined the Border Patrol in 1996.
  • Bovino became commander of the administration's immigration crackdown in Los Angeles in June 2019.
  • Bovino led immigration enforcement operations in Chicago, the Twin Cities in Minnesota, and other major cities in 2019 and 2020.
  • Bovino left Minnesota shortly after the death of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti on January 24, 2020 and was replaced by White House border czar Tom Homan.
  • Bovino has announced plans to retire from the Border Patrol in the coming weeks.

The players

Gregory Bovino

A 55-year-old Border Patrol agent who became known for his aggressive tactics during immigration crackdowns in major cities under the Trump administration.

Renee Good

A U.S. citizen who died during the immigration enforcement demonstrations in Minnesota's Twin Cities.

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old U.S. citizen nurse who was fatally shot by federal authorities during the immigration enforcement demonstrations in Minnesota's Twin Cities.

Tom Homan

The White House border czar who replaced Bovino in Minnesota after Pretti's death.

Sara Ellis

A U.S. District Judge who ordered Bovino to provide daily briefings on how his agents are enforcing the law in Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“We're not going to hit one location. We're going to hit as many as we can. All over — all over — the Los Angeles region, we're going to turn and burn to that next target and the next and the next and the next, and we're not going to stop. We're not going to stop until there's not a problem here.”

— Gregory Bovino

“What happens at the border, even 100 years ago, didn't stay at the border, and it still doesn't. That's why we're here in Los Angeles.”

— Gregory Bovino

“We use the least amount of force necessary to effect the arrest, we do that. If I had more CS gas, I would have deployed it.”

— Gregory Bovino

“My role is not to tell you that you can or cannot enforce validly passed laws by Congress. … My role is simply to see that in the enforcement of those laws, the agents are acting in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution.”

— U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis

“This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.”

— Gregory Bovino

What’s next

Bovino's retirement marks the end of his controversial tenure, but the legacy of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics will likely continue to be debated.

The takeaway

Bovino's aggressive and confrontational approach as a face of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown drew significant criticism and controversy, with accusations of excessive force and civil liberties violations. His retirement signals the end of a divisive chapter, but the broader impacts of those policies will likely continue to be felt.