The chief of the US Border Patrol, Gregory Bovino, has been abruptly removed from his command, a sudden shake-up that comes amid fierce criticism of the agency's handling of the escalating migrant situation in Chicago.
The news, confirmed by a senior official from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), signals a significant shift in leadership as the Biden administration grapples with intense political pressure over its immigration policies. Bovino's departure was announced internally on Monday.
Leadership Shift Amid Mounting Pressure
While no specific reason was given for the immediate reassignment, it follows a period of intense scrutiny. Bovino has been reassigned to a new role within US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Border Patrol's parent agency. He will be temporarily replaced by his deputy, Patricia McGannon-Daniel, until a permanent successor is appointed.
The move is seen by many as a direct response to the political fallout from the transportation of thousands of migrants from the southern border to northern 'sanctuary cities' like Chicago, a strategy that has overwhelmed local resources and sparked a major political dispute.
Chicago at the Centre of the Storm
Chicago has found itself on the front lines of this national crisis. The city's struggle to house and care for the influx of asylum seekers has become a flashpoint, drawing criticism from local leaders towards the federal government's response.
The Biden administration's approach, which includes the contentious practice of sending migrants to interior cities, has been a source of friction with Democratic officials in those urban centres, who feel abandoned without sufficient federal support.
A Career Veteran Steps Aside
Gregory Bovino, a career law enforcement officer who rose through the ranks over nearly three decades, had held the top job since 2021. His reassignment back to the role of deputy chief patrol agent for the El Centro sector in California is a notable demotion for a figure once at the helm of the nation's border security.
Troy Miller, the senior official performing the duties of the CBP commissioner, announced the change, stating the agency is "confident in the abilities of the entire leadership team." The search for a new, permanent chief is now underway.
