Border Patrol Chief Owens announced the retirement of the Texas Border Patrol
Jason Owens, the head of the Border Patrol, is resigning from his agency — he told Fox News that the agents gave him 100% in difficult situations, including the worst he’s ever seen in his career.
In the year Owens, who was appointed commander of the Border Patrol in 2023, is retiring in April. Texas border czar Mike Banks is tapped to be the next boss.
Owens spoke to Fox News about his time as chief during one of the most difficult times on the southern border. He said it was “bittersweet” because it was the end of a chapter in his life.
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President Biden walks with US Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens during a visit to the US-Mexico border in Bowensville, Texas, on February 29. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
“But at the same time, I’m happy because I feel that I’ve made a difference and it’s time to pass it on to the next generation.”
Fox asked the men and women about the increase in border crossings they’ve experienced — including the 2021 increase in Del Rio and the high numbers at Eagle Pass, Texas.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. And it’s as bad as I’ve seen in my entire career. And every moment, men and women are trying to make sure they can take care of it. Get back there on patrol and prevent bad actors from getting in,” he said.
He described how Border Patrol agents can go from performing CPR on infants to following a gang member or criminal.
“It hurts anybody. And I’ve seen those men and women do it not just once, but every day. No matter how upset they are, they get up the next morning, they go out there in that uniform and they owe me 100%,” he said.
This photo shows immigrants meeting at the southern border in Arizona. (US Border Patrol)
As for Banks, Owens said he considers him a friend and is “confident and optimistic about our future with him under his leadership.”
“He loves the Border Patrol as much as I do, and he’s focused on the mission of protecting this country from harm,” he said.
Owens also said, “I’ve never seen a situation where I can say the border is secure.”
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“Because to me, a secure border means that if something bad tries to come into this country, I can find it and stop it. There are still many gaps and vulnerabilities on our borders today,” he said. .
Outgoing DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised Owens in a statement, saying, “He embodies the ethos of the United States Border Patrol –Honor first.’
“Chief Owens has dedicated his life to public service. From his first assignment in the Border Patrol at Calexico Station to commanding the El Paso Senior BORTAC Unit, from the USBP Academy to the Laredo Sector. Del Rio Sector, Washington, DC, and many duty stations in between – the challenges. Whenever there is a lot and the talent is there, it always rises and enters the border He rose to the rank of patron because of his extraordinary leadership and his bravery, integrity and chivalry.
“These are the qualities that make Chief Owens the best and right person to lead the Border Patrol during a difficult time. I am grateful that he accepted the challenge, as he has accepted so many others in his great law enforcement career. The Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security are stronger today because of Chief Owens,” he said.
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The announcement comes just days before President-elect Trump takes office, where he is expected to launch a campaign of mass deportations and renew efforts to strengthen border security. On Friday, Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, Kristy Nom, faced a confirmation hearing.
During that hearing, she vowed to end the use of CBP’s One app and related programs introduced by the Biden administration to secure the border.
