Border Patrol Chief Owens Announces Retirement, Texas Border Czar Takes Over

Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens is resigning from his position as head of the agency and told Fox News that his agents have given 100% under difficult conditions, including some of the worst conditions he has seen in his entire career.

Owens, who was promoted to Border Patrol chief in 2023, will retire in April. Texas border czar Mike Banks will be chosen as the next chief.

Owens spoke to Fox News about his time as chief during some of the most intense moments of the crisis at the southern border. He said it was “bittersweet” because it’s the end of a chapter in his life.

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“But at the same time, it’s happy because I feel like I made a difference and it’s time to hand it over to the next generation.”

Fox asked him about the increase in border crossings his men and women dealt with, including the 2021 increase in Del Rio and the overwhelming numbers in Eagle Pass, Texas.

“I had not seen anything like it. And it was the worst thing I had seen in my entire career. And at every moment, the men and women are trying to find a way to take care of that so they can go back to patrolling and prevent the criminals from entering. bad actors,” he said.

He described how Border Patrol agents went from performing CPR on babies to chasing a gang member or convicted felon.

“That takes a toll on anyone. And what I saw was that these men and women deal with it not just from time to time, but daily and every day. No matter how frustrated they got, they get up the next morning, they get They put on the uniform and went out and gave 100%. I also owed them 100%,” he said.

As for Banks, Owens said he considers him a friend and said he is “confident and optimistic about our future with him at the helm.”

“He loves the Border Patrol just like I do. And he will keep his focus on the mission of keeping this country safe from harm,” he said.

Owens also said he has “never seen a situation where I would say the border is secure.”

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“Because for me, a secure border It means that if something bad tries to enter this country, I will be able to detect it and stop it. Today there are still too many gaps and vulnerabilities on our border,” he said.

Outgoing DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised Owens in a statement, saying he “embodies the spirit of the United States Border Patrol.”Honor first.’

“Chief Owens has dedicated his life to public service. Throughout his Border Patrol career, from his first assignment at the Calexico Station to his command of the elite BORTAC unit in El Paso, from his leadership of the Academy USBP to the Laredo Sector, Del Rio Sector, Washington, DC and many duty stations in between – has always stepped up and stepped in when the challenges have been greatest and where his talents have been most needed. He rose through the ranks of the. Border Patrol by virtue of their extraordinary leadership and their bravery, integrity and decency,” he said.

“It is these qualities that made Chief Owens the best and most appropriate person to lead the Border Patrol during an intensely difficult time. I am grateful that he accepted the challenge, as he has accepted many others throughout his distinguished law enforcement career. Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Securityare stronger today because of Chief Owens,” he said.

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The announcement comes days before President-elect Trump takes office and is expected to launch a massive deportation operation as well as renewed efforts to increase border security. On Friday, Kristi Noem, Trump’s pick to head the Department of Homeland Security, faced her confirmation hearing.

During that hearing, he also pledged to secure the border, including a promise to end use of the CBP One app and related parole programs introduced by the Biden administration.