Border Patrol Veteran Bovino Retires After Losing High-Profile Post

Bovino's retirement coincides with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's departure

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:21am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Gregory Bovino, a veteran Border Patrol official who became known for his aggressive enforcement of President Trump's hard-line immigration policies, is retiring at the end of the month. Bovino was reassigned in January from his nationwide commander role to his previous post as sector chief along the California-Mexico border in El Centro. His retirement will take effect on the same day that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, to whom he reported, is scheduled to leave her position.

Why it matters

Bovino's retirement marks the end of an era for the Border Patrol's hardline approach to immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. His aggressive tactics, including immigration arrests at places like Home Depot parking lots and fatal shootings of U.S. citizens, drew significant criticism and protests. Bovino's departure, along with Noem's, signals a potential shift in immigration policy under the new administration.

The details

Bovino, who was eligible for retirement and was one year shy of CBP's mandatory retirement age of 57, faced a lawsuit over sweeps in California's Kern County where plaintiffs accused officers of racial profiling, car damage, coercive tactics, and efforts to pressure people into leaving the country. Before his national role, Bovino served as sector chief along the California-Mexico border in El Centro. In his national role, he oversaw aggressive immigration operations in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Minneapolis, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.

  • Bovino was reassigned in January 2026 from his nationwide commander role to his previous post as sector chief along the California-Mexico border in El Centro.
  • Bovino's retirement will take effect on the same day (March 31, 2026) that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is scheduled to leave her position.

The players

Gregory Bovino

A veteran Border Patrol official who became known for his aggressive enforcement of President Trump's hard-line immigration policies. He is retiring at the end of March 2026.

Kristi Noem

The Homeland Security Secretary to whom Bovino reported. She is scheduled to leave her position on the same day as Bovino's retirement.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Bovino and his green-uniformed agents were sent to the Los Angeles area, where their immigration arrests at places including Home Depot parking lots prompted an outcry and protests.”

— CBS News (CBS News)

What’s next

Bovino's retirement and Noem's departure from the Homeland Security Department could signal a shift in immigration policy under the new administration.

The takeaway

Bovino's retirement marks the end of an era for the Border Patrol's hardline approach to immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. His aggressive tactics, including immigration arrests at places like Home Depot parking lots and fatal shootings of U.S. citizens, drew significant criticism and protests. The changes in leadership at the Homeland Security Department could lead to a new direction in immigration policy.