CBP's Greg Bovino will retire at end of March, reports say

· UPI

March 16 (UPI) -- Customs and Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, who spearheaded several operations in the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, plans to retire at the end of the month.

He drew widespread criticism for his involvement in immigration operations across the country -- most notably in Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans and Minneapolis -- because of tactics used when apprehending alleged illegal immigrants, sources told CNN, CBS and NBC.

In addition to reactions from local leaders and residents in the communities he and his agents traveled to, judges have admonished him for actions taken during operations -- including heavy-handed tactics and indiscriminate arrests.

Over the course of the last year, he also bristled when he was told to stop using chemical agents, gassing crowds of protesters and to switch to a targeted approach and stop asking random people -- sometimes based only on skin color or accent -- for their immigration status.

Related

Bovino, 57, is eligible for retirement and one year away from mandatory retirement but has not filed official paperwork to do so, he has told people in the department that he plans to retire on March 31.

After two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis died at the hands of DHS officials in three weeks while documenting the administration's tactics, he was removed as commander-at-large and returned to his role as chief patrol agent in El Centro, California.

Bovino's last day, if it is his last day, will dovetail with DHS Sec. Kristi Noem's last day in her position.

President Donald Trump replaced her with Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., after her performance during aggressive grillings before House and Senate committees at the beginning of the month.

This week in Washington

President Donald Trump speaks during an event celebrating Women's History Month in the East Room of the White House on Thursday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo