Former Border Chief Labels Minneapolis Agent Withdrawal A Capitulation

The removal of immigration agents from Minneapolis marked a total failure of policy, a former border patrol chief stated in a recent interview.

Greg Bovino, who led the deportation operations in the city, described the decision to pull hundreds of agents out as a capitulation. Speaking to the BBC, he characterized the administration's move as throwing in the towel. He asserted that deportation activities across the region have now come to a virtual standstill. Bovino expressed regret over not escalating arrests sooner in Minnesota, stating he wishes he had gone harder and arrested even more individuals.

The operation drew heavy criticism following the deaths of two US citizens in January. Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot dead during the campaign, and video footage of the incidents ignited bipartisan backlash. These shootings led to widespread protests in the city. President Donald Trump subsequently announced he would de-escalate the situation, resulting in about 700 agents leaving the state shortly thereafter. The operation was subsequently taken over by the White House border tsar, Tom Homan.

Legal action regarding the fatal shooting is now moving forward. The family of Renee Good filed two civil lawsuits earlier this month, alleging wrongful death and a conspiracy to interfere with the civil rights of protesters. The filings name several senior officials, including Bovino and agent Jonathan Ross, for their roles in the events leading to Good's death. The lawsuit argues the operation created an unprecedented environment for state-sponsored violence. Bovino declined to comment on the litigation, telling the BBC he is not responding to it and noting that people file lawsuits all the time. The family's lawyers responded by accusing Bovino of spewing propaganda, stating he cannot be judge, jury, and executioner, and adding that they look forward to depositions.

Questions regarding the fatal incidents remain a point of contention. President Trump initially characterized Good as having violently and willfully run over an ICE officer. Weeks later, the President described her death as a tragedy, acknowledging that agents sometimes make mistakes. Bovino declined to concede that video evidence undermines his position regarding the intent of the deceased. He stated that the evidence shows violence was perpetrated against agents of the US government and that the law must be followed. Regarding his own removal from the role shortly after the shootings, Bovino stated he has not received a final word on why the administration made that decision. He has since retired from the border patrol. Following the withdrawal, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was fired by Trump in March.

Bovino, 56, continues to advocate for stricter immigration enforcement policies. He has called for total spectrum immigration enforcement supported by the military and claims without evidence that 100 million people are in the US illegally. A White House spokesperson countered these figures, stating that Trump delivered the largest reduction in illegal immigration in modern history. The spokesperson added that more than 3 million illegal aliens have left the country due to his policies.

The former official is also considering political office. Speaking in Detroit, where he campaigned for tougher enforcement, Bovino floated exploring a presidential run in 2028. He stated that if politicians do not step up and do their jobs, something might happen. He has addressed rallies calling for the deportation of Abdul El-Sayed, a US-born citizen and Democratic Senate candidate. El-Sayed would be the first Muslim US senator if he defeats Republican Mike Rogers.