U.S. Border Patrol Chief Resigns After 37-Year Career “to Enjoy Family and Life”
What to know
- U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced his immediate resignation, citing retirement after nearly 37 years of public service.
- Banks said he was proud of his tenure and claimed the agency maintained the most secure border in U.S. history during his leadership.
- His departure marks the latest in a string of leadership exits at DHS, following recent resignations and removals of top immigration officials.
Source Adnkronos International, Rome
The chief of the US Border Patrol, Michael Banks, has announced his immediate resignation, becoming the latest senior Immigration official to leave the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) since the arrival of the new secretary, Markwayne Mullin.
In a statement to CNN, Banks said he was "proud" of the work done leading the Border Patrol, claiming to leave the post with "the most secure border in the country's history." After almost 37 years of public service, he added, it is time to "enjoy family and life."
Banks was a Border Patrol veteran and had previously served as Texas' "border czar," working as an adviser to Gov. Greg Abbott during Operation Lone Star, the plan with which Texas responded to what state authorities called a migratory crisis under the Biden Administration.
His management of the migration dossier had earned him the support of President Donald Trump, who had appointed him to lead the Border Patrol in January 2025.
During Banks' tenure, official Gregory Bovino took on a central role in the anti-immigration crackdown within the United States, with the support of then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. However, his particularly aggressive approach had caused internal tensions within the agency.
Banks' departure represents the third change in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security in the last two months. Trump had removed Kristi Noem in March, following controversies related to excessive federal spending on advertising campaigns and after the death of two US citizens killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. Last month, the interim director of ICE, Todd Lyons, also announced his resignation, officially to dedicate more time to his family.
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