Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz announced his plans to retire effective June 30 after two years under the Biden administration.
Ortiz's announcement comes after two years of the nation's highest migrant encounters in the nation's history.
Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz announced his intention to retire from the post as head of the United States Border Patrol effective June 30. https://t.co/hn0T6lzpMd
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) June 1, 2023
“After a 32-year career spanning multiple Sectors, HQ tours, and overseas assignments in Afghanistan, I have decided to retire from Federal Service on June 30," Ortiz shared in a statement.
"I have proudly served in the Armed Forces and across this country and enjoyed every opportunity I have had to work for and on behalf of the American people," he added.
#BREAKING: U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz will step down from his post atop the 19,000-person law enforcement organization in the coming weeks following nearly two years at his post, the Washington Examiner has learned. https://t.co/aJRCV3dXdJ
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 31, 2023
"Ortiz became the 25th chief of the Border Patrol on Aug. 15, 2021. His predecessor, Rodney Scott, who embraced restrictive immigration policies ushered in during the Trump administration, retired after the Biden administration asked him to step down," NBC News reported.
"Ortiz led the Border Patrol through a large part of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Title 42 emergency health restrictions, which began in March 2020 during the Trump administration, allowing agents to swiftly turn migrants away from the U.S. border," it added.
US Border Patrol chief Raul Ortiz, who has led border enforcement since 2021, is retiring https://t.co/uPxL8bDegP
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 31, 2023
CBP Acting Commissioner Troy A. Miller released a statement confirming the retirement.
"Chief Ortiz is a true leader. I have benefited greatly from his partnership, expertise, wise counsel, and friendship over the years," Miller said. "Every single day, he champions the men and women of the Border Patrol and has worked tirelessly to ensure that they have the tools, resources, and support they need to do their jobs."
The announcement also comes shortly after the end of Title 42, a COVID-19 border policy that allowed the turning away of many migrants at the border.
The retirement will leave a search for a new leader for the Border Patrol during one of the agency's most difficult times in history.
The change also comes as pressure builds toward the 2024 presidential election with candidates sounding the alarm on strengthening the controls at our southern border.
