Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino to Retire After Minneapolis Controversy

Bovino led high-profile immigration raids across major U.S. cities before being ousted from Minneapolis over a fatal shooting

Mar. 16, 2026 at 5:25pm

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Gregory Bovino, the chief of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is retiring at the end of March after 30 years with the agency. Bovino was a key figure in President Trump's immigration enforcement efforts, leading Border Patrol raids in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Minneapolis that resulted in thousands of arrests. However, Bovino was forced to leave his post in Minneapolis in January following the Border Patrol shooting of Alex Pretti, an armed anti-ICE protester.

Why it matters

Bovino's retirement marks the latest high-profile departure from President Trump's immigration enforcement apparatus, following the reassignment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Bovino's aggressive tactics and clashes with sanctuary city politicians made him a polarizing figure in the national immigration debate.

The details

Bovino, 55, led Border Patrol raids across the country that netted thousands of arrests, including of convicted gang members, murderers, and child sex abusers. He was a vocal proponent of Trump's immigration crackdown and frequently sparred with left-leaning politicians in sanctuary cities who sought to hamper enforcement efforts.

  • Bovino is retiring at the end of March 2026 after 30 years with the agency.
  • Bovino was forced to leave his post in Minneapolis in January 2026 following the Border Patrol shooting of Alex Pretti.

The players

Gregory Bovino

The outgoing chief of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who led high-profile immigration raids across major U.S. cities during the Trump administration.

Alex Pretti

An armed anti-ICE protester who was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, leading to Bovino's ouster from the city.

Kristi Noem

The former Homeland Security Secretary who was reassigned, and with whom Bovino was closely tied.

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What they’re saying

“The greatest honor of my entire life was to work alongside Border Patrol agents on the border and in the interior of the United States in some of the most challenging conditions the agency has ever faced.”

— Gregory Bovino, Outgoing Border Patrol Chief (Breitbart)

“Watching these agents out there giving it their all in some of the most dangerous of environments we have ever faced was humbling.”

— Gregory Bovino, Outgoing Border Patrol Chief (Breitbart)

The takeaway

Bovino's retirement signals the end of an era for the Trump administration's hardline immigration enforcement policies, as the Biden administration looks to take a more measured approach to border security and deportations.