Federal Border Patrol chief expected to exit Minneapolis amid backlash

• Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino and agents set to leave Minneapolis amid rising protests and political pressure.

Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and a number of Border Patrol agents are expected to depart Minneapolis as early as Tuesday, federal sources told news outlets, marking a significant de‑escalation in a highly controversial immigration enforcement operation.

The news was first reported by CNN and confirmed by Reuters and the Associated Press, citing multiple sources familiar with the discussions.

Context: Operation Metro Surge and Community Outcry

Bovino has been leading a federal immigration enforcement initiative known as Operation Metro Surge, which deployed thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents to Minneapolis over recent weeks.

The operation aimed to crack down on immigration violations in the interior of the United States, under directive from the Biden administration and supported by the Trump administration.

However, the surge has generated intense local and national backlash — particularly after the fatal shooting of 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent during an enforcement action. Protesters and civil rights groups have criticized the federal tactics, and political leaders from both parties have called for investigations and changes to the federal presence in the city.

Details of the Withdrawal

According to the reports:

• Bovino and some Border Patrol agents are expected to leave Minneapolis imminently, returning to their assigned sectors outside Minnesota.
• The move comes amid increasing political pressure and public protests over clashes between federal agents and local residents.
• President Trump has dispatched former ICE acting director Tom Homan to Minnesota to oversee remaining federal immigration operations and coordinate with local officials.
• Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed discussions with national leadership and welcomed the reduction of federal agents while maintaining cooperation on local crime enforcement.

Political Repercussions and Investigations

The situation has triggered multiple investigations into the Pretti shooting by federal agencies and local authorities, along with calls from lawmakers and governors for increased oversight of immigration enforcement practices.

In addition, lawmakers and governors from both parties have called for increased oversight of federal immigration enforcement practices in light of the shooting, with bipartisan demands for transparency and accountability.

While Bovino’s exit from Minneapolis appears imminent, the broader federal immigration operation is still underway under new leadership. Local officials continue to push for further reductions of federal presence and point to ongoing protests as evidence of community resistance to current enforcement strategies.