New Chief Selected to Lead U.S. Border Patrol

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Tuesday announced the appointment of its new leader.

New Border Patrol Chief Ronald Vitiello, who was backed by the National Border Patrol Council , was named chief of the agency less than a week after then-Chief Mark Morgan resigned under pressure, according to The Washington Times.

Vitiello with lead the agency during a time when President Donald Trump has pledged to erect a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico and add 5,000 agents to the current number of about 20,000.

Vitiello most recently served as CBP's executive assistant commissioner for operations support. He was acting Border Patrol chief when Morgan was appointed last year and was considered to be a leading contender for the job at that time.

The more than 30-year veteran of the Border Patrol served as deputy chief in the administration of President Barack Obama.