2023-05-31 02:32:01
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Border Patrol chief has announced he will resign in about a month, following major changes to the U.S. southern border with the removal of pandemic restrictions known as Title 42.
Chief Raul Ortiz said in a statement to staff Tuesday and a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press that he has decided to retire effective June 30.
Ortiz has worked in the corporation for 32 years and has held various positions.
“I am leaving with peace of mind, knowing that we have an extraordinary professional and uniformed force, strong relationships with our union partners, and outstanding leaders who will continue to defend them tirelessly every day,” he said in a statement.
Ortiz took over at the request of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas after the former chief, Rodney Scott, was removed by the Joe Biden administration. Ortiz had planned to retire but did not in order to assume the leadership.
The Border Patrol and its 19,000 agents have been in the public eye for years. Under Title 42, migrants were turned away at the border and denied the right to seek asylum. US authorities turned away migrants more than 2.8 million times. The restrictions were in place since March 2020 and ended on May 11. The Biden administration put in place new border restrictions to discourage migrants from crossing illegally and made other legal avenues available.
It is unknown at this time who will replace Ortiz.
1685500615
#Border #Patrol #Chief #Announces #Upcoming #Retirement