700 Agents Left Minnesota As Ex-Border Chief Calls Pullout A Surrender

The federal government has withdrawn approximately 700 immigration agents from Minnesota, a move Greg Bovino, the former head of US Border Patrol, has labeled a "surrender." Bovino made the remarks during an interview with the BBC while speaking in Detroit. He said the administration "threw the towel in" and that deportation efforts have reached a "virtual standstill."

Bovino, 56, led the public face of the Minneapolis deportation drive before his removal from the post. He expressed regret for not "going harder" in the state and for not arresting more undocumented immigrants. He described his officers as the "real victims" of what he termed the most violent law enforcement mission in US history.

The withdrawal followed the deaths of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both shot in January. Video footage of the shootings triggered bipartisan criticism and widespread protests. President Donald Trump initially stated he was "going to de-escalate a little bit." Tom Homan, the White House "border tsar," assumed control of the operation after the agents departed.

Good's family filed two civil lawsuits against the administration earlier this month. The suits allege wrongful death and a conspiracy to interfere with the civil rights of protesters. One lawsuit names Bovino and Jonathan Ross, the agent who shot Good, for their individual roles in the operation. The plaintiffs argue the operation created an "unprecedented environment for state-sponsored violence." A White House spokeswoman previously dismissed the claims as "baseless."

Bovino downplayed the legal action, stating he was "not responding" to the suits. He said, "people do lawsuits all the time," while praising the officers sent to Minneapolis. In response, the family's lawyers called Bovino's comments "propaganda." They stated he could not serve as "judge, jury and executioner" and expressed interest in deposing him and other defendants.

During the interview, Bovino was pressed on whether video evidence contradicted his claim that Good and Pretti intended to harm agents. He maintained that violence was perpetrated against US government agents. He added that in a society of laws, people must follow the law or face consequences. Trump initially described Good as having "violently, willfully and viciously" run over an officer, but later characterized her death as a "tragedy" and acknowledged agents sometimes make mistakes.

Bovino said he did not know why he was removed from his role, noting that he had not received the "final word." Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security secretary during the operation, was fired by Trump in March. Bovino has since retired from Border Patrol.

The former chief has advocated for "total spectrum immigration enforcement" backed by the military. He claimed without evidence that 100 million people are in the US illegally. A White House spokesperson countered that Trump delivered the largest reduction in illegal immigration in modern history, citing more than 3 million departures due to his policies.

Bovino also suggested he is considering a presidential run in 2028. He said, "If politicians aren't going to step up and do their job then you might see something happen." He recently addressed a far-right rally in Michigan, where activists called for the deportation of Abdul El-Sayed, a US-born citizen and Democratic Senate candidate.

El-Sayed is seeking to become the first Muslim US senator if he defeats Republican Mike Rogers. Bovino's comments came as he campaigned for tougher immigration enforcement in Detroit.