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Border Patrol Commander Bovino to Leave Minnesota Amid Immigration Operation Tensions
Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino will depart Minnesota as early as Tuesday, along with an unspecified number of U.S. Border Patrol agents, multiple federal sources confirmed to Fox News. The move comes amid escalating tensions between federal immigration authorities and protesters following contentious immigration enforcement operations in the state.
Bovino, who has been the public face of the Trump administration’s campaign to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records, will return to his previous post as chief of the Border Patrol’s El Centro Sector in Southern California, where he will resume his former responsibilities overseeing 70 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border across Imperial and Riverside counties.
The Department of Homeland Security quickly clarified Bovino’s status, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating on social media: “Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Bovino during a press briefing, calling him a “wonderful man, and a great professional” who “is going to very much continue to lead Customs and Border Patrol, throughout and across the country.”
The announcement coincided with President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota. “I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight. He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Bovino’s “commander of at large operations” position was specifically created by DHS, placing him outside the normal Border Patrol command structure. His approach has drawn sharp criticism from opponents of the administration’s immigration policies, particularly regarding tactics used to apprehend undocumented immigrants.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a vocal critic of Trump’s immigration policies, celebrated news of Bovino’s departure from Minnesota, writing “Gestapo Greg is out. Keep the pressure up. It’s working” on social media. In a separate post, he called for the firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
The leadership change follows a deadly incident over the weekend when 37-year-old nurse Alex J. Pretti was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis. According to authorities, Pretti, who was armed with a handgun and filming federal officers on a city street, was shot while resisting disarmament. At the time, federal agents were targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, an undocumented immigrant with a criminal history including domestic assault with bodily harm, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license.
The operation in Minnesota has sparked protests and demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol tactics, with some confrontations turning violent. The enforcement actions are part of the administration’s broader crackdown on illegal immigration, particularly targeting individuals with criminal records.
In his social media statement, President Trump also referenced a separate issue, mentioning “a major investigation is going on with respect to the massive 20 Billion Dollar, Plus, Welfare Fraud that has taken place in Minnesota,” which he suggested was “at least partially responsible for the violent organized protests going on in the streets.”
As Homan takes over as the administration’s point person in Minnesota, tensions remain high between federal immigration authorities and local communities, reflecting the broader national debate over immigration enforcement policies and tactics.
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10 Comments
The role of border patrol leadership is critical in navigating these complex and often contentious issues. I hope the new commander, Tom Homan, is able to bring a balanced approach that addresses both enforcement needs and community concerns.
With the politically-charged environment, it will be important for the new leadership to maintain transparency and open communication with all stakeholders moving forward.
This is an interesting development in the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement. It will be important to see how the leadership change impacts operations on the ground in Minnesota.
The departure of Commander Bovino seems to be a significant personnel shift, though the department insists his duties have not been relieved. I’m curious to learn more about the reasons behind this move.
Immigration enforcement is a complex and often contentious issue. While I appreciate the need for secure borders, I hope the new border patrol commander in Minnesota will prioritize building trust with local communities and balancing enforcement with humanitarian concerns.
Effective leadership in this role requires navigating a delicate balance. I’ll be watching to see how the new commander approaches this challenge.
Transitions in senior law enforcement positions often signal a shift in priorities and approach. It will be interesting to see if the new leadership brings a different perspective or strategy to the border patrol’s work in Minnesota.
With the tensions already high, I hope the new commander is able to strike the right balance between enforcement and community relations.
The departure of Commander Bovino raises questions about the reasons behind this move and what it means for the future direction of border patrol operations in Minnesota. I’m curious to learn more about the department’s plans under the new leadership.
While the details are still emerging, this change in border patrol command in Minnesota comes at a pivotal time. I’ll be following this story closely to see how it impacts immigration operations and the relationship with local communities.