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Top Immigration Official Bovino to Retire After Controversial Raids
Gregory Bovino, the public face of Trump-era immigration enforcement, steps down after backlash over deadly Minneapolis operation.
Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:51pm
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Gregory Bovino, the high-profile head of US immigration raids under the Trump administration, has announced his retirement from the US Border Patrol after decades of service. Bovino became known for his aggressive approach to immigration enforcement, leading raids in Democratic-run cities that resulted in the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis. The administration eventually sidelined Bovino amid the backlash over the Minneapolis operation.
Why it matters
Bovino's retirement marks the end of an era for the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies, which were defined by high-profile raids and confrontational tactics. His exit comes after the administration faced intense criticism over the deadly Minneapolis raids, which raised concerns about the use of force and the treatment of undocumented immigrants.
The details
Bovino, 55, oversaw immigration raids in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, and most notably Minneapolis, where two US citizens were shot and killed by federal agents during a violent operation. Bovino initially defended the agents' actions, claiming one of the victims, Alex Pretti, had been planning a 'massacre.' However, it was later revealed that Pretti was licensed to carry the weapon and did not brandish it. The backlash over the Minneapolis raids led the Trump administration to remove Bovino from his position and replace him with a more conciliatory border policy chief, Tom Homan.
- Bovino announced his retirement on March 17, 2026.
- The deadly Minneapolis raids that led to Bovino's removal occurred in January 2026.
- The Trump administration ended the Minneapolis raids, known as Operation Metro Surge, on February 12, 2026.
The players
Gregory Bovino
The high-profile head of US immigration raids under the Trump administration, known for his aggressive approach to enforcement.
Alex Pretti
A US citizen protester who was shot and killed by federal agents during the Minneapolis immigration raids, despite having a license for the weapon he was carrying.
Tom Homan
The border policy chief who replaced Bovino after the backlash over the Minneapolis raids, seen as more conciliatory in his approach.
What they’re saying
“The fact that they're highly trained prevented any specific shootings of law enforcement, so good job for our law enforcement in taking him down before he was able to do that.”
— Gregory Bovino
What’s next
The administration's immigration enforcement policies and tactics are likely to face continued scrutiny and debate, especially in the wake of Bovino's retirement and the fallout from the deadly Minneapolis raids.
The takeaway
Bovino's retirement marks the end of an era for the Trump administration's hardline immigration approach, which was defined by high-profile raids and confrontational tactics. The deadly Minneapolis operation and the resulting backlash highlight the need for a more balanced and humane approach to immigration enforcement that prioritizes public safety and respects the rights of all individuals.
