Bovino was removed as CBP Commander at Large in January and reassigned to lead the Border Patrol sector in El Centro, California, after aggressive enforcement operations and deadly incidents tied to his Chicago and Minneapolis actions.

Shortly after, following the January shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents, Bovino returned to the border sector as White House border czar Tom Homan took charge in Minnesota.

During his reassignment, Bovino oversaw large-scale federal immigration sweeps in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Minneapolis, drawing widespread scrutiny.

His retirement aligns with a broader DHS leadership timeline under President Trump, coinciding with Kristi Noem’s reported final day as DHS Secretary.

Top Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino plans to retire at the end of the month, though retirement paperwork has not yet been submitted.

News outlets like NBC News and CBS News reported on his planned retirement and provided context on his controversial leadership and related legal challenges.

CNN sought comment from the Department of Homeland Security on the retirement matter.

Bovino’s image and actions were featured in media materials tied to the administration’s immigration crackdown, including promotional posters and video mashups.

Since then, the administration has shifted toward a more targeted immigration approach, moving away from broad sweeps.

Emails obtained by NBC News show Bovino expressing frustration in October 2025 when instructed to pursue targeted arrests rather than broad enforcement.

His handling of the Chicago operation drew a federal judge’s rebuke for claims not supported by video evidence.

Gregory Bovino, long-time Border Patrol commander who became a public face of the immigration crackdown, is retiring at the end of March 2026.