Gregory Bovino, the United States Border Patrol commander-at-large, has been removed from his role and will return to California, where he is expected to retire soon, The Atlantic reported, citing a Homeland Security official and two sources familiar with the decision.
Bovino’s sudden demotion is being seen as a clear sign that the Trump administration may be reconsidering its most aggressive immigration tactics following widespread outrage over the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents deployed under his command, an encounter that intensified criticism of the federal crackdown in Minneapolis.
The incident, which followed the earlier death of 37-year-old woman Renee Good at the hands of an ICE agent, intensified public anger and political scrutiny. Bovino’s statement that Pretti had intended to “massacre” federal agents drew widespread criticism and sparked protests across the city.
"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," Bovino told CNN.
He added: "It's too bad the consequences had to be paid because he injected himself into that crime scene. I can't say that enough. He made the decision to go there."
Who is Gregory Bovino?
Gregory Kent Bovino, 55, has been a prominent figure in US federal immigration enforcement for decades. Born on March 27, 1970, he graduated from Western Carolina University in 1993 and attended Appalachian State University for graduate studies. Bovino joined the US Border Patrol in 1996, first serving in El Paso, Texas, and later rising through leadership roles in Yuma, Arizona, and Blythe, California.
He also led Border Patrol sectors in New Orleans and El Centro, California, before being appointed commander-at-large in 2025.
Bovino captured headlines for his provocative tactics long before Minneapolis. He first drew national attention in Los Angeles, the first major city targeted by the Trump administration’s immigration offensive.
Amid fierce criticism from Democratic officials, Bovino and squads of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents carried out heavily armed patrols, resulting in thousands of arrests, often justified by little more than Spanish being spoken or individuals appearing to be from Latin America.
He came under further scrutiny when he arrived in Chicago in September to lead operations targeting undocumented immigrants in what Trump had labeled “the most dangerous city in the world.”
In his role as a Border Patrol supremo enforcing the administration’s nationwide crackdown, Bovino frequently cited alleged public safety risks posed by immigrants, including accidents related to drink-driving, according to WBEZ reporting.
In Minneapolis, Bovino became the face of federal operations after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, an observer filming agents, which sparked citywide protests. Bovino’s statement that Pretti had intended to “massacre” federal agents further inflamed tensions.
His leadership in the city has faced bipartisan criticism as Minneapolis grapples with the consequences of the federal immigration crackdown.
Homan to take over immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota
As Bovino exits Minneapolis, Border Czar Tom Homan is expected to take over immigration enforcement operations in the state. Homan’s arrival comes amid growing protests and calls for independent investigations into federal immigration tactics, particularly following the deaths of two US citizens within weeks.
Homan, 64, began his career as a Border Patrol agent in 1984 and later joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when the agency was created in 2003. He led ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, overseeing deportations and removals of individuals with outstanding deportation orders.
Known for his low-key but influential approach, Homan was awarded the Presidential Rank Award by the Obama administration in 2015 for his effectiveness. He later became a central figure in the Trump administration’s immigration policies after being persuaded to delay his retirement in 2017.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended the actions of federal agents in Minneapolis, stating they fired in self-defense when Pretti allegedly resisted disarmament. Despite the leadership change, immigration raids in the city have reportedly continued.
Observers view the transition from Bovino to Homan as a possible signal from the White House to recalibrate its approach following the high-profile deaths and mounting public outrage.
